Asheville Daily Planet April 2013

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April 2013 Vol. 9, No. 5 An Independent Newspaper Serving Greater Asheville www.ashevilledailyplanet.com FREE

— See Reviews/Interview, Pgs. 11-12, 17 an 24

Darius Rucker, Lovin’ Spoonfulconcerts prove mesmerizing

New Belgium official unveilsplans for its Asheville brewery

— See Story, Pg. 8Darius RuckerThe Lovin’ Spoonful

Protesters aim to end Bizarro salesFrom Staff Reports

About 25 people — many of them concerned parents — showed up midday March 9 along Asheville’s South Tunnel Road near the Up in Smoke store at Innsbrook Mall for a one-hour protest of the shop’s sale of Bizarro.

The substance, which has been on the market for about a year (replacing R-2), is legal and marketed as “incense,” but the pro-testers claimed it is highly addictive and damaging to the young people who buy and consume it to “get high.”

The protest was planned at the M&J Food Stores, but it was moved because “M&J got busted on Thursday (March 7) for il-

legal video games” and “are closed until further notice,” Dr. Carl Mumpower, protest co-organizer, noted in an email. “Good,” he added.

“The protest group will include a dozen concerned partents seeking to tunr the lights on these community bad guys” who sell Bizarro, Mumpower stated.

The protestors began with a prayer circle after which Taylor Personius, 19, of Asheville, who recently was released from a rehabilitation center after getting addicted to Bizarro, told them, “Thank you, everyone, for being here.”

See BIZARRO, Page 24

Protest co-organizer Carl Mumpower (far left) with his loyal bird dog Pepper (in background) was among those pro-testing the sale of Bizarro on March 9 in Asheville.

Daily Planet Staff Photo

By JOHN [email protected]

Walter Ziffer gave a first-hand account of his ordeal in a Nazi concentration camp during World War II and life before and after being freed during a March 20 talk at UNC Asheville’s Highsmith University Union.

Before a standing-room-only turnout of 225 people, including many students, area resident Ziffer presented a keynote address titled “How the Holocaust Shaped My Life.” His talk was in conjunction to a Ho-locaust art exhibit for March titled “Parallel

Journeys: WWII and the Holocaust.”The program began with local young

people reading poems written by the chil-dren who lived in a WWII concentration camp.

A native of Cieszyn, Czech Republic, Ziffer was deported at the age of 14 and imprisoned in different Nazi concentration camps, performing slave labor in a variety of weapons factories. He was liberated in 1945.

Rick Chess, head of center for Jewish Studies at UNCA, gave a brief introduc-tion of Ziffer. “We’re extraordinarily lucky that Walter Ziffer has been living among

us these many years… Walter is a brilliant scholar and an extraordinary teacher… Above all, I see Walter as a man who is courageous and wise.”

Following a song played on a fiddle, Ziffer began by saying, “Good evening my friends. Overflow crowd. I’m deeply touched.

He expressed his special thanks to Deb-bie Miles, head of UNCA’s Center for Diversity Education, and Rick Chess, head of UNCA’s Center for Jewish Studies.

“Both have made enormous contribu-tions to our town and, I think, far beyond,”

Walter Ziffer speaks at UNCA See SURVIVOR, Page 10

Holocaust survivor recounts horrific experiences, lasting scars ... and luck

‘Leagueof Women... Vipers?’BCGOP official’stweet trips trigger

From Staff Reports

A tweet from an official in the Buncombe County Republican Party that — he said — was intended as a joke has upset the head of the League of Women Voters in Asheville.

BCGOP spokesman Nathan West said that the tweet, sent to the party’s nearly 800 Twitter followers referring to a Wednesday meeting of the aforementioned group as the League of Women Vipers, was intended to be humorous and just a “silly comment.”

However, he also said the League of Women Voters has never been friendly with Republi-cans.

Meanwhile, Karen Oeschlaeger, president of the Asheville-Buncombe League chapter. told local news media outlets that it is unfortunate one of the two major political parties would antagonize the group.

She noted that the league organizes forums on public policy issues and encourages partici-pation in voting and government.

Also, Oeschlaeger said she had reached out to West and BCGOP Chairman Henry Mitch-ell in the past and, therefore, is disappointed that they view her organization as unfriendly to Republicans.

Drug targeting kids opposed

SBI probes police chief’s son’s wreckFrom Staff Reports

The State Bureau of Investigation is conducting an ongoing review of how the Asheville Police De-partment handled a single-car wreck involving the 22-year-old son of APD Chief William Anderson.

Among the questions the SBI will seek to answer is who was in the car. Chad Anderson said someone else was driving his father’s 2007 Pontiac G5 when it crashed into a traffic island on Montford Avenue in Asheville sometime before 2:30 a.m. March 9.

When the police arrived on the scene at 2:30 a.m., they found the car was abandoned, according to police records.

Chad Anderson was charged with failure to re-port an accident in a timely manner. He told po-lice he was riding as a passenger when the vehicle wrecked, and that the driver fled after the accident, the police report noted.

Authorities have not yet apprehended the driver, a male acquain-tance that Chad Anderson said he know only as Dianty.

Since the accident, Chad Anderson on March 20 resigned his job with the city. (The police chief’s wife also works for the city.)

While a police report confirms that account, the only two known witnesses to the accident told the local news media that they only saw one person standing near the car after it wrecked.

Police found a .40 caliber Smith and Wesson handgun inside the car, along with .40-caliber ammunition and a handgun magazine, according to a search warrant application returned by the SBI.

District Attorney Ron Moore said he asked for the SBI’s involv-ment because he wanted the actions of Asheville police that night to be reviewed. He noted that he did not learn about the accident until three days after it occurred, when he read about it in the Asheville Citizen-Times, at which point he ordered the SBI review.

William Anderson, serving his 13th month at the Asheville police helm, admitted recently that he dealt with his son’s wreck situation poorly — and should have had some law enforcement agency other than the APD investigate the incident.

“The most important thing that I did that night is distance myself from this investigation, and that’s exactly what I have done,” Ander-son was quoted as telling the Citizen-Times in its March 31 edition.

“I should not have been involved. I should not have been giving any direction. .. I didn’t do anything. I let the police do their job.”

At a recent news conference, Anderson apolo-gized for his failure to call in another agency to probe the wreck and placing his officers in the dif-ficult situation of investigating his son.

The SBI, which does not comment on such inves-tigations, will provide a report to Moore, who then will decide if other charges need to be filed.

In the meantime, the city manager’s office de-clined to comment on how the controversy involv-ing the chief’s son will affect the elder Anderson.

In a related matter, Sean Devereux, a high-profile defense attorney, said March 27 that he is represent-ing Chad Anderson in the case.

Devereux reportedly declined additional com-ment, citing an ongoing investigation.

Devereux has represented such notables as serial bomber Eric Robert Rudolph and the daughter of Malcolm X.

The Citizen-Times reported that “Chad Anderson could not be reached for comment at his residence or through the mobile phone number listed in a police report. A woman who answered that num-ber said she has had it for years and does not know Anderson.”

2 —April 2013 - Asheville Daily Planet

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In a cost-cutting move, Asheville City Council on March 12 informally endorsed a proposal to stop funding Bele Chere, the city’s biggest annual festival.

Under the plan, the city would allow re-sponsibility for the downtown gala to be taken over by a community group after this sum-mer’s Bele Chere.

Council’s decision came after a staff recom-mendation for the city to cease producing Bele Chere as a way to save uo to $450,000 a year.

Specifically, Lauren Bradley, the city’s director of finance and management services, recommended that the city end its participation to help narrow the shortfall between an expect-ed $3.3 million increase in city expenditures and a projected $1.4 million rise in revenues in

the next fiscal year, beginning July 1.No councilman spoke out against the

proposal to end funding for Bele Chere. The three-day weekend festival in late July draws thousands of people downtown for its music, food, crafts and other activities.

Councilman Marc Hunt noted that “Bele Chere was started back when downtown was otherwise stagnant,” but now “downtown is so vibrant every day there is a legitimate ques-tion whether Bele Chere drives downtown vibrancy.”

Also, council members discussed how Bele Chere inconveniences many merchants and others, outweighing the benefits.

Councilman Jan Davis said he has at-tended every Bele Chere, but “there are a lot of mechants downtown who would rather not have it.” The festival “may have outgrown

itself,” he said. “Reorganization is probably due.”

While council considered the possibility of not funding this year’s Bele Chere, it agreed that there are many community groups who depend on Bele Chere to raise funds and, therefore, it is too late to terminate the gala this year.

The festival was launched in 1979 to draw people downtown when that area was largely boarded up and economically ailing.

Bele Cher is widely credited with help-ing with downtown’s revitalization, drawing throngs each year and morphing into what is among the largest annual outdoor festivals in the Southeast.

In recent years, council has scaled down the festival.

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Plug-in EV plan for Asheville metro, N.C. unveiledBy BRIAN TAYLORLand-of-Sky Regional Council

The Asheville Area Plug-in Electric Vehicle Plan was released March 20 to the public to support Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) readiness efforts in Western North Carolina.

Over the past year the Land-of-Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition has worked with a broad group of stakeholders in the Asheville metro area to identify and address barriers to elec-tric vehicle adoption.

The Asheville Area PEV Plan provides local governments, businesses, educators and other key partners with a roadmap of strategies to prepare the Asheville region for electric vehicles.

This planning project was part of the North Carolina Plug-in Electric Vehicle Readiness Initiative, a statewide effort funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a North Carolina PEV Roadmap and four community PEV plans for metro areas within the state.

Community PEV plans were developed for the Asheville region, the Charlotte region, the Piedmont Triad, and the Re-search Triangle. The planning region for the Asheville Area PEV Plan includes the coun-ties of Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison and Transylvania.

Plug-in electric vehicles are empowering organizations and individuals to promote the Asheville region’s future economic resilience, energy security, and environmental health, the Land-of-Sky Regional Council noted.

When compared with conventional gas vehicles, plug-in electric vehicles offer

lower fuel prices, reduced dependence on foreign petroleum, and lower emissions of local air pollutants and greenhouse gases, the council said.

Electric vehicle adoption is also creating new jobs here in Western North Carolina for charging station manufacturers, auto parts suppliers, electrical contractors, and related businesses such as solar PV installers.”

Plug-in electric vehicles, such as the Nis-san LEAF and the Chevy Volt, have been on sale in the Asheville region since fall 2011. Based on projections made by the Electric Power Research Institute, there may be more than 8,000 plug-in electric vehicles on the road in the Asheville region by 2020.

“As battery prices come down and gasoline prices continue to rise we can expect PEVs to become an attractive option for more and more car buyers every year,” says Bill Eaker, who leads the Land-of-Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition.

More than 40 public charging stations have already been installed in the Asheville region to support PEV adoption, including a dozen solar-powered charging stations installed by Brightfield Transportation Solu-tions, an Asheville-based start-up.

Many of these charging stations were also locally manufactured by Eaton Corp. at their

Asheville facility. This level of charging station deployment is high for a region of Asheville’s size, but there are still large gaps in this regional network of public charging stations. Targeted locations for additional public charging stations, such as downtown areas in Brevard and Waynesville, are identi-fied in the Plan.

The recommendations of the Asheville Area PEV Plan are directed to a variety of public and private stakeholders in the region. Some key strategies recommended in the plan include:

• Working with public and private fleet managers to identify attractive PEV applica-tions, purchase vehicles, and develop PEV

purchase policies• Partnering with local governments and

businesses to install public Level 2 charging sta-tions in strategic areas in the Asheville region

• Deploying PEV parking and way find-ing signage to help drivers locate charging stations

• Organizing PEV Test Drive events with the help of local auto dealers to educate car buyers about PEVs, their benefits, and avail-able incentives

• Supporting policies and partnerships that encourage investments in renewable energy to offset the energy use and emis-sions of PEVs charged on North Carolina’s electrical grid

The Rev. Billy C. Wirtz performs at Magnolia’s Raw Bar during the close of a recent Bele Chere in downtown Asheville.

Asheville Daily Planet — April 2013 - 5

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Bothwell backs city police chief

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While Asheville Police Department Chief William Anderson made “largely a bad PR move” in allowing the APD to investigate a crash involving his son, City Councilman Cecil Bothwell in late March cautioned citizens not to jump to conclusions about the chief.

Anderson has been embroiled in con-troversy since his son, Chad Anderson, 22, was involved in a single-car wreck March 9 in a vehicle registered to the chief.

The police chief later apologized for failing to call the N.C. Highway Patrol to investigate a wreck in which his son told police he was the passenger and the

driver had fled the scene on foot.(A story on the case appears on Page 2

of this edition of the Daily Planet.)Bothwell also is head of the city’s

Public Safety Committee, which consid-ers police and fire issues before they go to council, and makes recommendations. The PSC does not have investigative au-thority in the case of the car wreck.

Nonetheless, Bothwell said he sup-ports the police chief, noting, “People can’t be blamed for what their kids do.

On a separate matter, Bothwell said, “I was pleased to learn that, given more time to consider the legali-

ties, Asheville City Attorney Bob Oast confirmed that I was correct in my in-terpretation of the City Code. Carry-ing of guns in the Feb. 23 rally was a violation of both city and North Caro-lina law.” Oast said all future organizers will be correctly informed about the law, Bothwell told the Daily Planet.

Cecil Bothwell

Councilman to address progressives

Single-game tickets for the Asheville Tourists’ 2013 sea-son are now on sale, beginning at 10 a.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Tourists’ ServPro Box Office at McCormick Field, online at theashevilletourists.com or by calling the front office at 258-0428.

Tickets are available for 68 of the defending South Atlantic League champions’ 70 home games scheduled for the 2013 campaign. The two exceptions are the July 2-3 contests, which will feature the annual Fourth of July Fireworks Extravagan-zas. Tickets for those two games will go on sale May 11.

For the fifth straight season, tickets for Tourists’ home games have not increased in price. In addition to the price freeze, the team is offering a new promotion — the Cap Pack. Fans can purchase two box seats and one special Tourists cap for a total of $20 for games played Sunday through Wednes-day, excluding July 2-3, and Sept. 1. The Cap Pack must be purchased no later than noon on the day of the game.

“We feel it’s important to keep the price of coming to a Tourists game as affordable as possible,” said team President Brian DeWine. “Families remain the core of our fan base, and we want to make sure they are able from a financial stand-point to bring everyone to the game. That’s why we consider every avenue in order to keep our ticket prices as stable as we possibly can.”

The Tourists open the 2013 season on the road at West Virginia on April 4 before debuting at McCormick Field on Thursday, April 11, at 7:05 p.m. against the Power, the first contest in a seven-game home stand.

Tourists’ single-gametickets on sale; seasonstarts April 4 at W.Va.

SportS

Asheville City Councilman Cecil Bothwell will address this month’s meet-ing of Dinner With Progressives at 6 p.m. April 1 at Firestorm Cafe & Books at 48 Commerce Street in downtown Asheville.

Bothwell will outline pending leg-islation in the North Carolina General Assembly that will do serious financial harm to this and other municipalities in the state.

“When the state legislature acts to deprive cities of funding, it represents a direct hit to municipal taxpayers,” Both-well noted. “The millions of dollars in lost revenue will mean either higher real estate taxes or lower levels of service. There is no way around that equation.”

Council is currently working on the FY 2014 budget, and has been holding frequent work sessions in addition to its regular formal council meetings, to

consider funding options, expenditure reductions and to weigh the likely results of bills currently under consideration in Raleigh.

Bothwell is running for re-election for another four-year term on council. He is an investigative reporter, builder, organic gardener and public servant.

In addition, he leads a jail ministry af-filiated with the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville.

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Daily Planet Staff PhotoAbout a dozen people staged a March 13 rally in downtown Asheville’s College Street traffic circle, protesting a pending plea bar-gain for Harry Kimmons III, who is accused of killing 9-year-old Eryka Phillips. Police say the girl was deliberately struck by a car and killed by her mother’s boyfriend.

Eryka’s uncle, Ken Phillips, said Buncombe County District Attorney Ron Moore should not offer a plea deal to Harry Smith Kim-mons III, The 27-year-old was charged with first-degree murder in Eryka’s death on May 24 of last year. The protest location was within sight of the county courthouse.

Protestersoppose

plea bargain

Asheville raises fees for water, trash pickup, parkingFrom Staff Reports

Asheville City Council on March 26 voted 5-0 to raise rates and fees on water usage, trash pickup, parking and several parks and recreation services, effective July 1.

The increases will generate an estimated $2.1 million for the city. Asheville’s muncipal budget for the next fiscal year is projected to be a challenge because expenses are rising faster than income.

To that end, council will hold a “town hall” meeting at 2 p.m. April 3 to discuss the city’s budget difficulties. The session will be held in the banquet hall at the U.S. Cellular Center downtown.

At the March 26 meeting, councilmen said that boosting charges for residential trash pickup by $3.50 per month is a step in a multiyear plan to cut the amount of trash that goes to the Buncombe County landfill.

Council also noted that other increased are intended to more closely match the amount charged with the cost to the city to provide it.

Residential water charges will increase by 1 pecent, for customers in-side and outside the city limis. Commercial users will experience a 1 to 3 percent rate increase, while rates for manufacturers that are large water users will remain unchanged. Small manufacturers will experience a 1 percent rate increase.

Parking in metered spaces downtown will increase from $1 an hour to $1.25, while rates for parking in three city garaes also will rise by 25 cents per hour. City officials noted that rates for metered spaces have not changed since 2003. The increases will ensure turnover in metered spaces to benefit downtown businesses and generate money for planned future renovations of parking garages, city officials said.

In addition,council opposed passage of a bill proposed by Reps. Tim Moffitt and Nathan Ramsey, both Republicans from Buncombe County, that would terminate the city’s capability to use up to 5 percent of reve-nues from its water system on related street and sidewalk improvements.

Council also approved incentives for city employees to retire early.

Jay Richardson Gary Jackson

North Lexington Avenue .... Putting the funk in funky Asheville


From Staff Reports

New Belgium Brewery General Manager Jay Richardson presented a progress report on his company’s building to the Council of Inde-pendent Business Owners early March 8.

The issues meeting, including breakfast at Biltmore Square Mall’s food court in Asheville, drew about 60 people.

Among officials in attendance were Asheville City Councilman Marc Hunt, Buncombe County commissioners Joe Belcher and David King and Buncombe emergency services Director Jerry Vehaun.

“New Belgium, like a lot of our fel-low crafter brewers, began as an offshoot of a hobby,” Richardson said. In 1991, top company officials “learned how Belgiums do beer.... In commemoration of that trip, “New Belgium called its first brew Fat Tire… That’s our flagship beer today.”

“All crafter brewers are defined as being independent. Other aspects are small and tra-ditional… sticking to old-world techniques… It’s pleasing to me that there are groups like this in Asheville.”

The company’s founders felt it was impor-tant to “determine what the purpose (of New Belgium) would be…. Profitable? It’s a very vibrant industry right now. it may not always be.”

The other thing the company founders sta-blished were core values and beliefs. “One of those is being a business role model. We strive to run our business in such a way that we serve as a positive role model.

As for the project, we are in “deconstruction ...The next thing will be taking down the stock-yard buildings…. That will take us about 3-4 months. Then we will start dirt work…. That’s going to take about 5 months. So construction should begin by the end of this year.

““The construction process, we think, will take about a year…. We hope to produce sale-able beer in 2015.”

As for the staff at New Belgium, Rich-ardson said, “I will assemble a team that is interested in coming to Asheville. The official hiring process will start in probably a year from now.

During a question-and-answer session, CIBO member Mac Swicegood asked, “Could you talk about how you will get your goods in and out of here?”

Richardson said, “Our raw materials in-clude glass, paperboard, cardboard and malt.”

Swicegood asked, “Your traffic needs — how do you perceive that?” Bicycles — most of us don’t ride them.”

RIchardson replied, “One of the appealing things about our site in Asheville is that it’s near the center of town. We hope many of our workers will live nearby, so that they could bike or walk to work… We know we can’t have everybody bike or walk to work, but we’d like as many to do so as possible.

Hunt said he had no questions, but “I would like to voice a public thanks” to New Bel-gium for coming here…. New Belgium is an awesome corporate citizen… These guys did not have to come here. They certainly did not have to choose this very challenging site in our River Arts District. You guys did not have to do that…. I thank you for all you’ve done

Ad meeting attendee asked, “Could you tell us about the beginning pay rate?”

Richardson replied, “We have long been a proponent of the living-wage concept. The numbers I looked at put our average salary in the $40,000 to $50,000 salary range.” (The crowd applauded.)

In other action, Asheville City Manager Gary Jackson provided an update on the city’s budget projections. “Thanks for having me,” he said, succinctly. “The budget projection is bad. (That comment drew some nervous laughter from the CIBO crowd. ). Things are tight. We are doubling down.”

Jackson added, “I intend to be relentless … We’re looking to improve performance...”

While the city has focused on the Develop-ment services department and getting manag-ers in place, Jackson said, “I was asked if I could do that elsewhere. Well, I’m back here to say we’re looking at making improvements in multi-modal transportation.

“We want top be consistent in providing that level of service to everybody who comes in.” With 12 departments reporting to me directly…. There used to be 13.

“We continue to have the core businesses and, public safety... in the forefront,” he said.

Jackson also said he questions, “What are we doing to improve performance and silos?

“Now Cathy Ball (director of public works) couldn’t be here today, but the executive direc-tor of finance and strategic planning Lauren Bradley” is present.

In terms of improving performance and breaking down silos (things that happen in a vacuum). he said a plan that will be brought forward to council relates to having concluded that some 18 to 20 construction workers “do it well, but not as economically as if we con-tracted it out.”

Jackson added, “That was one of the first things they dug into. By eliminating those 18-some positions and shifting that money into local contractors doing that asphalt work, the savings would be…. And we’ll get more done at a better, more efficient cost.”

Instead of having a greenway commission and other such bodies, “We’d have one mul-timodal commission,” Jackson said. “We’re trying to cut out extra layers of government.

“Those are just two examples where Lauren and Cathy are trying to improve efficiency.”

On other topics, Jackson said, “Lauren Bradley has put together this economic devel-opment strategy… Our focus … is on quality development. Making this an attractive place for your to invest… The only way we/re going to do that is to treat everybody like they’re New Belgium… That hasn’t always been the case. We also need the supporting infrastruc-ture in place.

“Downtown — it has significant investment opportunities, particularly on the South Slope. If you look at this brochure, you’ll see the contin-ued investment in the river district and improv-ing U.S. Cellular Center. We question whether we should continue investing in Bele Chere.”

Next, Shannon Tuck, development services department, said, “I think Gary’s done a good job of telling you about the big citywide” changes.

She talked about DSD’s organizational structure. “Our goal was to create a ‘one-stop shop.’”We wanted to have a shared vision and purpose…”

Seven new positions, including three process managers and four coordinators will be added, Tuck said. “So if you run into a problem, you have a point of contact in the process. Responsible for [processes from cradle to grave). These individuals are your natural advocates.

“With the launching of our new permitting software this spring, we will have data that we didn’t have before. We will be able to monitor trends, so we can shift resources. This also will enable us to track performance measures. We are still in the transition period, but I think in the next couple months we’ll be” picking up steam.

Tuch said, “I mentioned the permitting

software. That’s huge. It’s supposed to be launched April 8… It’s going to create a much better interface, not only for our staff, but for the public.

“We’re looking very closely in this next year at operational redundancies. We’re go-ing to try to identify those redundancies and eliminate them.

“Also, I’m very interested in application processes that we simply don’t need. For example, temporary sign permits. Is it really worth it for the city to issue a permit for a sign that’s only going to be up for two weeks?”

Next, Julie Mayfield, executive director of the WNC Alliance, addressed the I-26 connec-tor and I-26 widening project. The invitation was for me to talk about the alliance’s role in the I-26 project.

I’ve been in Asheville for about 5 years. I moved up from Atlanta. I’ve been doing envi-ronmental policies,” she said. “I’ve got family in Jackson County. So I’m not just a regular transplant.

“We (the alliance) were founded by people who grew up here,” Mayfield said.

“At one point in history the forest service had applications for oil and gas exploration covering a huge acreage in the area. If they’d found anything, this region would have looked” quite differently today.

“In the past, we’ve fought nuclear waste dumps in Sandy Mush, and elsewhere.”

The alliance’s three primary focus areas include public lands, water and land use and transportation, but she said her talk would primarily focus on land use and transportation, “which is what I’m going to talk about today.

“There are two highway projects on the books — the I-26 connections and the I-26 widening project... DOT doesn’t know right now whether it’ll be six or eight lanes. What-ever they do, they want to go inside, using the median, as opposed to expanding the footprint

of the project. Plus, the Blue Ridge Parkway, they literally will have to build new bridges for the Parkway.

“The coal ash ponds… that’s a choke point and it’s going to be a challenge ... Our concern always is what’s are the environmental im-pacts... Now the connector project is a more complicated story… This project first came up in the mid to late ‘80s…. Our leadership on this project dates back to Brownie Newman’s time,” she said.

“The last time it really, unintentionally, pitted neighborhood against neighborhood. So I’ve launched an effort to connect the neighborhoods. We call it the I-26 Connect Us project. That’s where we are.

“We want an alignment of the highway that minimizes dislocation of homes and business-es, in West Asheville, what we’re willing to trade off on through-traffic versus community.

Mayfield added, “Litigation is not our preference. It’s the last resort.” We much prefer “We don’t need to sue anybody. We don’t want to sue anybody….

During a Q &A, Swicegood said,, “I’d like to thank you for being here this morning. You started your presentation on a regional perspec-tive and ended up with a local perspective ... This organization has impeded progress on I-26.”

He then added, “I think your organization has done more irreparable harm for this area than any organization I know of.... basically on the I-26 connector.”

(Afterward, he told the Daily Planet, “They’ve opposed basically everything. People live here because they need a job.”)

“I ask you to please go back to the regional approach,”: Swicegood said.

Keeping her composure, Mayfield replied, “We can agree to disagree on the impact. But you’re right, this is a regional organization.”

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Buncombe County, A-B Techwrangle over building plans

Asheville Daily Planet — March 2013 — 9

From Staff Reports Buncombe County officials are opposing

an effort by Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College to construct a meeting room with 800 seats in a planned building, so that the school can host allied health and workforce development programs.

If A-B Tech gets its way in holding more conferences than classes in a planned $50 million building at the school, Buncombe taxpayers could be indebted for tens of millions of dollars, according to county Finance Director Donna Clark.

In a worst-case scenario, Clark has esti-mated that the impact of the meeting room on the financing of the project could about double the cost to $101.9 million.

Conversely, Scott McKinney, A-B Tech’s vice president for business and finance, said the meeting room will not increase borrowing costs and would be used for events that are the core of the school’s educational mission.

As of the end of March, school and

county officials have not been able to agree on whether the space is needed and whether it would jeopardize the tax-exempt status of bonds the county will issue to finance the building. The loss of the status would add millions of dollars to borrowing costs.

Heritage Life Skills II Weekend

Hands-On ClassesTo register, visit www.CarolinaReadiness.com

May 17-19Haywood County Fairgrounds

758 Crabtree Rd., Waynesville, N.C.Come and join us for a weekend of learning!

RVs & Tents - Free camping. No electricity or showers available.Classes being offered are:

Carolina Readiness Supply Inc.Will you be ready when the lights go out?

72 Montgomery St.Waynesville, N.C. 28786

(828) 456-5310 www.carolinareadiness.com

Butchering Canning Meat*Canning Fruits/Vegetables*DehydratingWound Care Food StorageSun Oven CookingCandle Making*Soap Making*Battery-based Solar SystemBread Making* Herbal Salves, Tinctures, Teas*Horsemanship for SurvivorsFire Starting*

ArcheryReloadingBlacksmith/Knife-makingSolar GreenhouseField Trauma/sutures*SheltersOrganizing a group TrappingPreppers Medicine ChestKnot-tyingPrepper Fitness & Self-DefenseSecret Garden of SurvivalMap & Compass NavigationTactical Radio Communications

Some classes will be limited — sign up for classes early. Classes subject to change. *Minimal materials charge

Bring pad & pens, and folding chairs. If you make music— bring your instruments!

Friday Night Speakers (Starting at 7 p.m.)

Dr. Dan Eichenbaum —“Agenda 21”

Dr. Arthur Bradley — “Understanding &Preparing for an EMP Attack”

Coming in May

2 suspects charged in March 20armed robbery of UNCA studentBy Steve PleverUNC Asheville News Services

An investigation by UNC Asheville Police has resulted in the arrest of two sus-pects in an armed robbery that was reported in a campus parking lot the night of March 20. The victim of the robbery, a UNCA student, was not injured.

UNCA Police on March 28 obtained felony warrants for the arrest of Javius Marquez Davidson, 18, and a 16-year-old suspect, on charges of robbery with a dangerous weapon, second degree kidnapping, financial card theft and possession of stolen property.

Shortly after the warrants were issued, the suspects were arrested by the Asheville Police Department at off-campus locations. The two suspects are not UNCA students. They are being held in the Buncombe County Detention Center.

UNCA Police obtained video evidence from a convenience store on Merrimon Avenue, where the victim’s ATM card was used, which helped lead to the identifica-

tion and arrest of the suspects.The suspects also questioned by APD

officers the night of the robbery in the proximity of the convenience store.

“We continue to work diligently for the safety of students, faculty, staff and visitors to our campus,” said UNCA Chief of Police Eric Boyce. “This is a cooperative effort we undertake with the campus community, and we want to encourage people who have information about dangerous or illegal activity to contact us.”

WCU to hold MBA informationsessions for classes at casinoBy rANDAll HOlCOMBeWCU News Services

CULLOWHEE – Western Carolina University’s master’s degree program in business administration is offering informa-tion sessions in Cherokee for prospective students who are interested in attend-ing classes at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort.

WCU is accepting part-time students to begin the MBA program in spring 2014. Courses are offered in state-of-the-art training facilities at the resort’s Harrah’s Cherokee Hotel, and the program can be completed by part-time students in 34 months.

Information sessions will be held in the hotel’s Ash Room from 6 to 7 p.m. April 10, and from 4 to 5 p.m. April 24. Individ-ual appointments also are available, as well as on-site information sessions at other area

businesses.Kelly McIntyre, graduate programs

manager for WCU’s College of Business, will lead the information sessions and dis-cuss the advantages of WCU’s “hands-on” MBA, which focuses on the unique chal-lenges facing the region and its economy.

There are no prerequisites for the program, which is designed to be integra-tive and interdisciplinary with a goal of creating independent, lifelong learners who are “business ready” to assume leadership positions, McIntyre said.

Each event will include a presentation and question-and-answer session. Individu-als who plan to attend a session are asked to register by emailing [email protected]. Inquiries about individual appoint-ments and on-site information sessions should be sent to the same address.

For more information, contact McIntyre at 654-6533.

Mission named amongtop 100 U.S. hospitals

Asheville-based Mission Hospital recent-ly was named one of the nation’s Top 100 Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics, for-merly known as Thomson Reuters, for the fifth consecutive year.

The annual study evaluates hospitals across the nation as measures of overall organization-al performance, including patient care, opera-tional efficiency and financial stability.

Buncombe GOP re-electsHenry Mitchell as its chief

The Buncombe County Republican Party on March 23 re-elected Henry D. Mitchell as its chairman for a second term during the 2013 BCGOP County Convention..

Also elected were Patsy Gardin, first vice chair; Larry Harris, second vice chair; Lo-retta Reynolds, secretary; and Bob Knapp, treasurer.

In addition members at large who were elected included Chuck Durand, Ronald Burgin, Pat Cothren, Linda Southard and Nancy Waldrop.

Continued from Page 1


Survivor“I was asked to give this talk in relation

to these three exhibitions,” Ziffer noted. (One exhibit was at UNCA and the two others at the art museum in Asheville.)

He spoke briefly “about the song played by our fiddler on the roof,” prompting laughter from the audience. “He came down from the roof to play for us today. He said it was a Yiddish song.

“Back to the exhibit — all three … deal with remembrances… of people of that ter-ribly hellish time. When six million Jewish people — 1933-45 — were murdered. … About 1-1/2 million children were among these 6 million.”

Ziffer said it revealed “human barbarity, fiendishness… The depths of depravity that humans — having the same DNA as you and I — can descend. Well, that should be food for thought for you and I.”

He added that, “as the Holocaust recedes in time, its memories recede…. (People forget) the enormous human losses and how those losses occurred.”

While movies have been made about the holocaust — “some good. Some not so good. I remember particularly the movie ‘Paper Clips.’”

As a Holocaust survivor, through the years, Ziffer said, “I’ve talked to many people, in all stations of life, …. In one school, it was plastered with 8-1/2 by 11 sheets, each with 400 names. The school wasn’t large enough to illustrate the 6 mil-lion number, believe it or not... So this was not very pleasant.”

After a pause, he asserted, “What I want to do tonight is something that’s not very academic…. I’m here, even though I’d like to forget this very unpleasant chapter of my life, which robbed me of my youth… and that will live in infamy. But I’ve come to the conclusion that I can’t ever forget.”

While the nightmare occurred 60 or 70 years ago, Ziffer said the sadness of what occurred remains within him and “the anger has literally increased.

“At night, those memories come back to we Holocaust survivors… Those toxic deposits have stayed with us through the decades. Each of us has toxic pictures and texts that continue” to stay throughout one’s life.

For example, he cited “the toxic just from last week. You may have watched TV, as Gail, my wife, did... We saw the new pope. He seems to be a good and modest person dedicated to helping the poor. But the hysteria and frenzy around him” was cause for concern to Ziffer.

Ziffer told of his family, before World War II, watching the same delirium hap-pening, upon the visit of Nazi leader Joseph Goebbels to their town. “We stood at the window (of his uncle’s apartment) and looked out. As the people left the square, people looked up at our windows and said to Ziffer and family, “‘You Jews, get away from the windows.’ Then they smashed the windows.”

He said he remembered (Pope) Francis being part of the Roman Catholic Church that resulted in the Inquisition, “where many were murdered. Then,…….Latin America, leaving about 1 million dead be-hind them … in the name of the church.”

Ziffer then asked the audience, “You see how I see things? The toxin makes you kind of miserable.

He said he recalls childhood memories sometimes. “I remember playing with my cousins. They were all murdered. He noted that some were shot to death, while others took cyanide pills or died from overwork,

He had an uncle who had all of his teeth capped with gold — a thought that leads

him to remember seeing pictures of boxes of gold — taken from Jews’ teeth.

“Am I sick? I don’t think so,” Ziffer said.“I remember my stay at a concentration

camp at Smiddleberg. I was bending rebar in various shapes used to reinforce concrete for bunkers. I was promoted to this job after a really good-looking guy smashed his thigh on the machine.” While he regretted the man’s misfortune, Ziffer said, “I was happy to get that job, as the machine could do more work than my rapidly diminishing body.”

In a particularly poignant memory, Ziffer noted, “Our shoes had woods soles and cloth tops. When it rained, …. misery.” He said he “remembered way the German foreman would walk through deep puddles of water with rubber boots without getting his feet wet.

“My feet were soaked and cold all the time. I was miserable day and night. I dreamed of rubber boots…. What delight to have rubber boots…. Upon coming to America, it was great to buy my first set of rubber boots.

While working at one of the camps, he said, “I got this new blueprint. I wanted it to be known that this blueprint was not right. So I explained that it was wrong, in perfect German.”

In response, his German guard respond-ed, “You are not a Jew. Why are you here?”

“I said, ‘I am a Jew. That’s why I’m here.”

“He said, ‘That cannot be true. Jews can-not speak German.’”

At that point, Ziffer said, “There are lots of people in this country who know how to massage truth. As we found out in the recent election.” He resisted the temptation.

“I became a teacher because I don’t think there’s anything more important than teach-ing people from kindergarten and up. How can I forget?”

In speaking of his pre-war prosperous Jewish roots, Ziffer said, “We had a gentile live-in cook in our apartment. My sister and I attended religious school, which was

pure boredom.”He stressed that his family “only oc-

casionally attended synagogue,” mainly on big occasions. “We did not observe Sab-bath. We spoke German and Czech, but not Yiddish. Nonetheless, we were considered Jewish.”

In the various concentration camps, Ziffer met orthodox Jews, many of whom rejected him. “Now this rejection deeply hurt me. They never even acknowledged my Jewishness. To this day, I carry with me a strong anti-separatist” viewpoint. “I also have a deep distrust of people in uniforms.

“As they annexed us, my brothers and sisters came across the bridge as conquer-ors of us Czech Jews. I think about now how my brothers and sisters came across the bridge, wearing black religious robes,… came over to take us over, as if we’d been enemies.”

Traveling in Europe, Ziffer said, meant “crossing many borders…. Although I had nothing to declare (at these border cross-ings), my heart would start beating fast… I felt very insecure.

“And we were liberated in 1945 by Soviet soldiers. But these very libera-tors showed (their true character) soon enough…. by raping the women… So I’m stuck with this concern about uniformed people.”

When he was arrested, he went to a triage camp, it was a five-story building packed with Jewish humanity. All miser-able. I was 14 years old. I was scared to death. … I was separated from my nuclear family” for the first time.

“My family came to visit me, I felt jubilant. Perhaps they’d be able to free me? But I saw from their expressions that things were bad. I wrote a note, begging my father to do everything he could to free me. He looked at me, as if he’d tried everything and to no avail. They bade me goodbye.

“So this moment explains why I feel sad when my children leave. Even when my wife drives off” to run errands.

“In the first concentration camp, we had to undress. We were completely nude. We were headed into the showers. We were made to dress in blue-striped uniforms. We all looked the same. On my jacket was the number 64,757. What did that mean? I am now an object. My humanity as a person was taken away.

“That brings me to my recurring night-mares. I get lost in a city. I wander in and out of buildings. I ask people for help… The people I approach listen to me, but then they leave ... I reach for my billfold and find it’s not there and all of my identi-fying papers are gone.

“Always lost. Totally helpless. Totally vulnerable. My wife awakes and hears the panicking sound coming from my side of the bed. To this day, I hate wearing a name tag.”

He noted evenly that his grandson tat-tooed Ziffer’s number on his forearm as, he said, a sign of respect.

“Now on the lighter side, I insist on hav-ing plenty of food in our refrigerator. This annoys my wife…. Well, the all-prevailing theme in the camps was getting food.

“How I survived on 10-12 ounces of bread per day, black coffee and (a concoc-tion) with potato peels floating on top for three and a half years? So I (now) insist on having lots of food in the fridge.”

With a laugh, he said his wife sometimes would complain about him packing the refrigerator so tight with food.

“I keep saying the Holocaust must never happen again. There are no ends to the methods that we humans plunge one another into misery.

“The question of God… The God that many of us pray to publicly and privately seemingly allowed all of these terrible things to happen to this 6 million people, of which 1.5 million were children.

“Also, other calamities…. We Jews call this “‘ather of mercy” and other such names… and the same with’Christians.

That (question about God) has been hanging over my head and still hangs over my head. My father would have given his own life to save me and my sister….

“This absence of God is a true conun-drum… I have no answer… Well, maybe I do have an answer, but it’s not for this talk tonight.”

Ziffer then referenced the great sage rabbi, who said, “Remembrance is key to redemption.

“But I added that ‘Remembrance alone is not enough.’ I think education is the key to a better world.

“I’m proud to be at this university to-night… as well as at the institution where I teach, Mars Hill College, because this is where the key to redemption lies. It’s here where hope is born every day.

“It’s filled with holiness of soul and heart.”

After a pause during which he gazed out at the audience, Ziffer quipped, “Well, I’ve depressed you,” triggering laughter from the crowd. “So I’m going to ‘un-depress’ you now.” He added that “there is a Jewish tradition that you do not leave a scripture reading on a sad note. “

Ziffer asserted that, to resolve the over-packed refrigerator conflict with his wife, To resolve the situation, he went to Sears and bought a huge refrigerator with lots of capacity.

“I’m happy to report to you tonight that my wife is happy with this simple solution. I only wish that all problems were so easy” to resolve.

Ziffer concluded his address and got a sustained standing ovation. He then fielded questions a number of questions from the audience, after which the program ended.

Walter Ziffer and a friend (with Star of David arm bands) before imprisonment by the Nazis.


CHEROKEE — With his gruff-but-com-forting low-baritone voice, charisma galore and a “live-and-let-live” laid-back attitude, Darius Rucker, former frontman for Hootie and the Blowfish, sent much of the crowd into ecstasy with his mid-1990s-style main-stream rock songs during his April 22 concert at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino

In somewhat of a surprise, he got decidedly mixed results from the casino crowd when he interspersed some of his more standard country songs into his repertoire midway through the show. The more traditional, country-inflected tunes seemed to suddenly subdue the otherwise cheering, standing and swaying audience.

To his credit, Rucker took notice and later found a groove in the country genre with a mix of highly romantic and sing-along-style drink-ing songs that actually revved-up his fans.

The Charleston, S.C., native, who (accord-ing to his biography) grew up in poverty — at one point living in a three-bedroom home with his mother, her two sisters, his grand-mother and 14 children — was greeted with adoration by much of the crowd as he took the stage, before he even sang a word.

In some ways, such as his attire, Rucker ap-peared unpretentious, wearing a T-shirt, worn blue jeans and a ball cap. He also appeared to possess considerable self-confidence and openly described himself during the show as a head-over-heels romantic when it comes to women, connecting effectively with the female-majority crowd on many levels.

He also said more than once that he is hap-pily married, noting at one point that he once moved to New York City to chase the woman who was to become his wife. After winning her over, Rucker said they moved back to this region, noting his love for the South in general and the Carolinas in particular

Rucker, who is close friends with golfer Tiger Woods, also seemed to benefit from his

status as a true maverick — as does Woods. The two African-Americans seem to march to the beat of a different drum in breaking racial stereotypes.

While he was attending the University of South Carolina, Rucker was a co-founder, lead singer and rhythm-guitarist of Columbia-S.C.-based Hootie & the Blowfish, one of the most popular mainstream pop-rock bands of the mid-1990s. He was the black frontman for an otherwise all-white group that began by playing at many fraternity parties.

After leaving the group and turning to

country music, on Nov. 11, 2009, Rucker won the Country Music Association New Artist of the Year award, making him the first African-American to win the award since it was introduced in 1981. The only other black to ever win a CMA award was Charley Pride, who won as entertainer of the year in 1971 and male vocalist of the year in 1971 and 1972.

It has not all been smooth sailing, though, as Rucker was spoofed by TV’s “Saturday Night Live” as “not black enough” in a sketch where Rucker was depicted as lead-ing beer-drinking, white fraternity members in a counter-march to Louis Farrakhan’s Million Man March. In real life, Rucker reportedly faced death threats for singing the Hootie song “Drowning,” a protest song against flying the Confederate flag above the South Carolina statehouse.

In an unusual twist, Rucker almost nonstop throughout the 75-minute Cherokee show (even in the middle of songs) slapped “high-fives” — or shook hands briefly — with the comely young women who jammed the area in front of him below the stage, presumably seeking to experience the thrill of touching the man in the spotlight.

One woman, who stood out because she was so rotund (unlike the lithesome lovelies around her), managed to slap hands with

Rucker and then amused many in the crowd when she staggered back to her seat, with a huge grin — and her body twitching as if she had been struck by lightning.

A few of the women in the crowd were dressed in mid-’90s female rocker attire, a la Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac, featur-ing off-the-neck tops, with capes that draped dramatically at the elbows.

Surprisingly, Rucker and his current band reportedly only drew slightly more than 1,600 people to the 3,000-seat casino Event Center. However, the concert’s late starting time — 9 p.m. — may have played a role in the concert turnout at the casino, where gambling, espe-cially later in the evening, is the main game. (The concert was scheduled later than usual because of events related to celebrating the casino’s recent expansion, one casino official told the Daily Planet.)

The concert began about 15 minutes late, with the band suddenly taking the stage, along with Rucker, “How y’all doin’?” he asked, in greeting the cheering crowd, as the band launched into “Love Will Do That.”

His talented six-piece backup band in-cluded a guitarist, bassist, two keyboardists, drummer and a multi-instrumentalist, who, at various times, played guitar, violin and banjo, among others.

Concert Reviewand Calendar of Events

Special SectionPULLOUT

Asheville Daily Planet — April 2013 — 11

Darius Rucker: An ingratiating maverick rocks

Daily Planet Staff Photo See RUCKER, Page 12

“Come ride the rails with us!”Woodfi n’s Craggy Mountain Line

North Woodfi n Avenue (next to Curby’s)For information and pricing,

call (828) 808-4877

Runningtrain rides

forprivate parties(birthday parties, family get-togethers, etc.)

Darius Rucker appeared modest and unpretentious during his Cherokee show on April 22.

The Asheville Daily Planet invites Letters to the Editor of 200 words or less. Please include your name, mailing address, daytime telephone number and e-mail address.For more information, call (828) 252-6565.

Send mail to: Letters, Asheville Daily Planet

P.O. Box 8490,Asheville, NC 28814

Send e-mail to: [email protected]

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Rucker“Thanky’all,”Ruckussaidasthecrowd

applaudedhisfirstsong.“MynameisDariusRuckus!”Hethenjokedtohisfans,manyofwhomalreadywerestanding,that“youdon’thavetostandup”forthenextsong,butthattheymightenjoydoingthat—andsingingalongwithhimduringthechorus.Hisbandthenlaunchedinto“Alright,Al-

right,”oneofhiscountrysongsthathadthecrowdsingingmerrilyalongonthechorus:

“’Cause I’ve got a roof over my head,the woman I love laying in my bed,And it’s alright, alright.I’ve got shoes under my feet,Forever in her eyes staring back at me,And it’s alright, alrightAnd I’ve got all I needAnd it’s alright by me.”

Amongtheothersongsthatfollowedwere“TrueBelievers”and“LetHerCry,”bothofwhichdrewmuchapplause,aswellas“IGotNothin’”and“WagonWheel.”HelatersangTheSteveMillerBand’s

“TheJoker,”encouragingthecrowd,whichfounditmuchfun,tosingalongtothewell-knowlyricsasfollows:

“Some people call me the space cowboy, yeah

Some call me the gangster of loveSome people call me Maurice‘Cause I speak of the pompitous of love.”

Partwaythroughtheconcert,Ruckerdrewapplausewhenhenotedthat“wejustgotbackfromAfricaandtheMiddleEast,play-ingforourtroops.”Patriotically,hepraisedthetroopsfor“sacrificingthelives”onbehalfofallotherAmericans—andthecrowdcheered.Afterseveralcountrysongsthatflopped

withthecrowd,Ruckerbeltedout“FamilyTradition,”therollickingclassicbyHankWilliamsJr..Hehadthecrowdsingingalong.Infact,itwasamongthemostpopularsongsofthenight.AllofRucker’sHootie-erasongswentover

big,including“OnlyWannaBeWithYou,”whichclosedouthisregularshow—anditprobablytriggeredthebiggestapplause.Astheaudienceclamoredforanencore,

Ruckerandcrewreturnedtoperform“Don’tThinkIDon’tThinkAboutIt,”“HoldMyHand”andPrince’s“PurpleRain.”During“HoldMyHand,”Ruckersuddenly

stoppedsingingandlistenedwithabroadsmileastheaudiencesangthechoruswithouthim.Beforeleavingthestageforgood,Ruckertoldthecrowd,“Thanky’allforlis-tening!”Hisfansrespondedwithasustainedstandingovation.

In 2009, Darius Rucker became the first African-American to win the New Artist Award from the Country Music Association.

Rucker (far right) was the frontman with Hootie & The Blowfish, which charted six top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100.

Monday, April 1RECITAL, noon, Scott Concert

Hall, Porter Center, Brevard College, Brevard. A recital will be presented by Joseph Lulloff, saxophone; and Jun Okada, piano. For tickets, call 862-2120.

GREEN PARTY MEETING, 6 p.m., upstairs, the Fortune Building, 729 Haywood Rd., Asheville. The Bun-combe County Green Party will hold its monthly business meeting, which is open to all.

SOCIAL JUSTICE LEC-TURE, 7 p.m., Jensen Lecture Hall, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa. Alan Jenkins will address social justice.

Tues, April 2NIXON FILM/TALK, 6

p.m., Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., downtown Asheville. Sarah Judson, UNC Asheville professor of history, will present a film screening and discussion about former U.S. President Richard Nixon.

FILM, 7 p.m., A.K. Hinds University Center, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee. “A New Lens” film series will feature “We Were Here.”

ANTI-FRACKING FILM, 7 p.m., Asheville Friends Meet-ing, 227 Edgewood Road,

Asheville. Following a potluck snack, Clean Water N.C. will screen “Message From Marcellus,” a film about frack-ing. Admission is free, but donations will be accepted.

Wednesday, April 3ENERGY/CLIMATE MEETING, 7

p.m., Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. The Sierra Club will meet to discuss North Carolina’s enery future, climate change and home energy efficiency. Speakers will include Jake Crouch of the National Climatic Data Center; and Amy Musser, an expert on home energy efficiency. Admission is free.

Thursday, April 4QUEER STUDIES CONFERENCE,

4:15 p.m., Laurel Forum, Karpen Hall, UNC Asheville. The 2013 UNCA Queer Studies Conference, which will be held through April 6, will begin with a panel discussion on “Amendment

One: Where Do We Go From Here?” One-day community passes for ses-sions and speakers will be available during the conference for $20; tickets for individual talks are $10. Admis-sion is free for UNCA faculty, staf and students. For more information on the conference, visit http://wgss.unca.edu/queerconference.

POETRY READING, 7 p.m., Lenoir-Rhyne University Center for Graduate Studies, 36 Montford Ave., Asheville. Phillip Schultz, Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and author, will read from his memoir, “My Dyxlexia.” His talk is part of the L-RU Ability Arts Fair. He won the Pulitzer Prize in 2008 for his poetry col-

lection titled “Failure.” In his memoir, he traces his difficult childhood and his realization as an adult that he has dyslexia. “In doing so, he shows how a boy who did not learn how to read until he was 11 went on to become a prize-winning poet by force of sheer determination,” L-RU noted. Admission is free and open to the public.

AUTHOR’S PRESENTATION, 7 p.m., Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café, 55 Haywood St., downtown Asheville. Gar Alperovitz, a political economist and activist, will present his new book, “What Then Must We Do?”

Friday, April 5AUTHOR’S PRESENTATION, 7

p.m., Malaprop’s Bookstore/Café, 55 Haywood St., downtown Asheville. Humanist philosopher A.C. Grayling

will present “The God Argument,” his new book about the arguments for and against religious belief.

BEATLES/ELTON JOHN TRIBUTE, 7-10 p.m., Classic Wineseller, 20 Church St., Waynesville. Joe Cruz will perform music by The Beatles and Elton John, as small-plate Italian fare is served.

VINCE GILL CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Per-forming Arts, Franklin. Country singer-songwriter Vince Gill will perform in concert. He achieved commercial success and fame as frontman for the country-rock band Pure Prairie League in the 1970s, and as a solo artist, beginning in 1983. For tickets, which are $45, $55 and $65, call 524-1598 or visit GreatMountainMusic.com.

Calendar of events

Send us your calendar itemsPlease submit items to the Calendar of Events by noon on the third Wednes-day of each month, via e-mail, at [email protected], or fax to 252-6567, or mail c/o The Daily Planet, P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490. Submissions will be ac-cepted and printed at the discretion of the editor, space permitting. To place an ad for an event, call 252-6565.

Country music singer-songwriter Vince Gill will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 5 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin.

See CALENDAR, Page 14

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Friday, April 5JAMES BARR CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Asheville

Community Theatre, Walnut Street, downtown Asheville. James Barr will perform what is billed as “mysterious music of The Beatles and Bach.” For tickets, which are $23, call 254-1320 or visit www.jamesbarrproductions.com.

CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT, 8 p.m., Unitar-ian Universalist Church, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. The Asheville Chamber Music Series will present “Trio Solisti,” a piano trio. Admission is $35 for those ages 26 and older and free for those ages 25 and younger. For tickets, call 259-3626 or visit www.ashevillechambermusic.org.

Saturday, April 6FREE TAX PREP SESSION, 10:30 a.m.-2

p.m., Pack Memorial Library, 67 Haywood St., downtown Asheville. Community residents will be offered free tax preparation by UNC Asheville volunteers as part of the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. No appointments are necessary. The VITA program offers free income tax preparation for people with incomes of $50,000 or less. VITA volunteers are trained in tax laws and procedures and confidentiality.

OCCUPY ASHEVILLE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, 2 p.m., Pritchard Park, downtown Asheville. Occupy Asheville will hold a General Assembly. “All are welcome to come and plan our future,” OA noted.

LINCOLN-REAGAN DINNER, 7 p.m., Crowne Plaza Resort, Asheville. The annual Lincoln-Rea-gan Victory Celebration Dinner will be hosted by the Buncombe County Republican Party. North Carolina Lt. Gov. Dan Forest will serve as master of ceremonies. The featured speakers will include U.S. Reps. Mark Meadows and Patrick McHenry. The BCGOP also listed the following as “invited keynote speakers:” U.S. Sens. Rand Paul, Marco Rubio, Richard Burr and Ted Cruz, as well as Dr. Ben Carson and Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker.

BALSAM RANGE CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Colonial Theatre, 53 Park St., Canton. Bluegrass group Balsam Ranger with Jim Hurst will per-form in concert. For tickets, call 235-2760.

FREE PLANET RADIO CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Laughing Waters Retreat Center, 3963 Gerton Hwy., Gerton. The band Free Planet Radio will perform in concert. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 at the door. For tickets, call 625-4780 or visit www.brownpapertickets.com.

Sunday, April 7JAZZ CONCERT, 3 p.m., St. Matthias Church,

1 Dundee St., Asheville. Jazz vocalist Serpentine Arborvitae will perform in concert. Featured will jazz classics and songs by Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, Kurt Weill, Jerome Kern and others. A free-will offering will be collected for the artists and the restoration of the historic church.

CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT, 3 p.m., First Congregational Church, 5th Ave., Hendersonville.The Hendersonville Chamber Music Series will present the Marc Yaxley Trio performing jazz, flamenco and classical music. For tickets, which are $17, visit www.hendersonvillechambermusic.org.

Tuesday, April 9 MARION JONES TALK, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.,

Sherill Center, UNC Asheville. Former Olympan and WNBA player Marion Jones will tell her story of Olympic glory and subsequent personal redemp-tion as the keynote speaker at the Our Turn to Play Luncheon. The luncheon is a fundraiser for UNCA’s student-athletes. The event honors women as champions and leaders, as well as to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Title IX, which prohibited discrimination in education and athletics. For indi-vidual tickets, which are $75, or table tickets, call 250-3858 or visit www.uncabulldogs.com/tickets.

Thursday, April 11ART BUSINESS SEMINAR, 9 a.m.4 p.m., Phil

Mechanic Studios, 109 Roberts St., Asheville. A seminar to help artists learn business skills will be held. The program is titled “Shedding Light on the Business of Art: An Intensive One-Day Workshop on Business Basics for the Artists of the Water-shed.” Topics covered will include how to obtain funding, how to develop a business plan and how to improve credit scroes. Each topic will be discussed by a group of experts in the field and then opened up to questions from the audience. The one-day event is free and open to artists, but registration is required by calling 252-8474, ext. 10.

ECONOMIC OUTLOOK TALK, 3 p.m., Li-onscrest, Biltmore Estate, Asheville. Starks Financial Group will host “An Afternoon With Jeff Saut.” Prior to his presentation (2-3 p.m.), a wine and cheese reception will be held. Saut then will give his market and economic outlook, followed by a question-and-answer session. Saut is a well-known commentator on the stock market and makes regular appearances on CNBC, Bloomberg TV, Fox TV and NPR. He is often quoted in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Bar-ron’s, The Washington Post, Business Week and SmartMoney. Admission is free, but seating is limited, so advanced registration is required. The registration deadline is April 3. To register, call 285-8777.

x

Calendar of Events


Shinedown, a melodic hard-rock band from Jacksonville, Fla., that has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide, will perform at 7:30 p.m. April 27 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino in Cherokee.


Marion Jones (shown in her Olympic glory, will speak at 11:30 a.m. April 9 at UNCA.

14 — April 2013 — Asheville Daily Planet

Thursday, April 11 CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Lipinsky Auditorium,

UNC Asheville. UNCA faculty and students will perform works by Asheville- area composers. Ad-mission is $5 for the public and free for students.

Friday, April 12SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM, 7:30 p.m., Unitarian

Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. The monthly social just film will be “Crossing Arizona,” which deals with U.S. immigration issues. A discussion will follow the screening. Admission is free.

Sunday, April 14ETHICAL SOCIETY LECTURE, 2-3:30 p.m.,

Friends Meeting House, 227 Edgewood Road, Asheville. The Ethical Society of Asheville will feature a presentation by Dan Carter titled When God Meets Caesar in American Life.” Carter is a PBS commentator, author and emeritus history professor from the Univeristy of South Carolina. Carter noted, “The United States is unique among Western democracies in its professed religiosity. For more Americans than Europeans say they believe in God, attend religious services, believe in absolute moral standards, see policy choices in terms of good and evil and cite moral values as fundamental to their lives” and their voting decisions. In his talk he will explore the role of religion in America’s government. A discussion period will be held after his talk. Following the meeting, there will be time for informal discus-sion. All are welcome.

CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. The UNCA String Quartet and Percussion Ensemble will perform. Admission is $5 for the public and free for students.

Monday, April 15SOCIAL JUSTICE LECTURE, 7 p.m., Jensen

Lecture Hall, Warren Wilson College, Swannanoa. The Academia and Activism Speaker Series will feature a presentation on social justice by Nithya Raman.

Tuesday, April 16BRAIN FUNCTION LECTURE, 4:30 p.m., Belk

Auditorium, Mars Hill College, Mars Hill. Dr. Os-hin Vartanian, a neuroscientist who specializes in studying the impact of cognitive training on brain function and performance, will speek. The event is free and open to the public.

Thursday, April 18DANCE PARTY, 6 p.m., Altamont Brewing

Co., 1042 Haywood Rd., Asheville. “Dance Like There’s Nobody Watching,” a fundraiser for the WNC Health Alliance, will be held for the third consecutive year. Features will include live music, raffle items and more. The suggested minimum donation is $12.

FILM SCREENING, 7 p.m., Alumni Hall, UNC Asheville. The movie “5 Broken Cameras” will be screened, followed by a discussion. The Oscar-nominated documentary is about Palestinian popular resistance in the occupied West Bank.

“ANNIE GET YOUR GUN” MUSICAL, 7:30 p.m., Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. A full two-act production of the musical “Annie Get Your Gun” will be presented. The showtime is 7:30 p.m. April 18-20 and 2:30 p.m. April 21. For tickets, which are $15 for adults and $10 for students, call 524-1598 or visit GreatMountainMusic.com.




CalendarThe Asheville Symphony Orchestra will perform at 8 p.m. April 20 at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Asheville.

$2 domestic draft Wednesdays

Breakfast Club-Brunch menu served until noon on Sundays before shows.

$2 Tuesdays

May 5th - Jon VeznerMay 8th - ElonowenMay 10th - Danny EllisMay 12th - Frank Vignola & Vinny RanioloMay 19th: TrishasMay 24th - Hayseed DixieMay 25th: Chatham County LineMay 28th - James McCartney

(son of Paul McCartney)

June 14th - John FullbrightJune 22nd -Erik BakerJune 30th - Mike Compton & Joe NewberryJuly 3rd - Livingston Taylor

Music on the Rock:June 6th-8th - Music of Sting & The PoliceJune 27th-29th - Music of Peter, Paul & MaryAug. 15th-17th: Music of The Eagles

18 Church St. • DowntownAshevilleGet tickets at (828) 348-5327

or www.myaltamont.com

Martin TaylorThursday, April 4 • 8 p.m.

Tickets $25.00

Jonathan EdwardsFriday, April 5 • 8 p.m.

Tickets $20 in advance/$25 day of concert

Glen Phillips(of Toad the Wet Sprocket!)

Saturday, April 6 • 8 p.m.Tickets $20

Jim HurstSunday, April 7 • 8 p.m.

Tickets $12

Peter Bradley AdamsFriday, April 12 • 8 p.m.

Tickets $12

Bill MizeFriday, Aprl 26 • 8 p.m.

Tickets $12

Deborah Henson-ConantSaturday, April 13 • 8 p.m.

Tickets $25 in advance, $30 day of, $50 VIP

Molasses CreekFriday, May 3 • 8 p.m.

Tickets $10

Leon RedboneSaturday, May 4 • 8 p.m.

Tickets $25

Music on the Rock feat,The Music of CCR

Thurs., April 18, Fri., April 19, Sat., April 20 • 8 p.m.Tickets $24

Billy Cardine, Chris Rosser, Zack Page,River Guerguerian as The April Sessions

Saturday, April 27 • 8 p.m.Tickets $12; tickets and a CD - $18

Coming Soon:SOLD OUT


CalendarSaturday, April 20

LINCOLN FESTIVAL, 10 a.m.-evening, Bostic, N.C. The Bostic Lincoln Festival is billed as a celebration of the Rutherford County legend that Abraham Lincoln, America’s 16th president, was born in Bostic, before heading to Kentucky as a toddler. The promoters claim there is “substantial evidence for the claim.” Tours will be offered of the Bostic Lincoln Center Museum to learn more about this “compelling story.” Also featured will be food and craft vendors, a theater performance, entertainment and a student art show. For more information, visit www.bosticlincolncenter.com.

BROADWAY REVUE, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m., The Foundation Performing Arts Center, Isolher-mal Community College, Spindale. Neil Berg’s new show, “101 Years of Broadway,” will be performed. It is billed as “a sprawling revue of American musical treasures from Irving Berlin to Andrew Lloyd Webber — including dazzling tributes to Rodgers and Hart, Kander and Ebb, Lerner and Lowe, George Gershwin, Stephen Sondheim, Stephen Schwarz and Oscar Ham-merstein. For tickets, which are $21 and $26 for adults, or $8 for youths, call the box office at 286-9990 or visit www.foundationshows.org.

ASHEVILLE SYMPHONY CONCERT, 8 p.m., Thomas Wolfe Auditorium, U.S. Cellular Center, Haywood Street, downtown Asheville. The Asheville Symphony will perform Mozart’s “Requium,” with guest violinist Kara Poorbaugh. For tickets, visit www.ashevillesymphony.org.

Tuesday, April 23WORKSHOP, 3:30-5:30 p.m., office of

Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, 36 Mont-ford Ave., Asheville. A workshop on “Trademark, Copyright and Patent Tips for Small Businesss-es” will be offered with free admission. Attorney Alicia Vega of The Bega Law Firm, PLLC; and Ryan Taylor, SBTDC production commercializa-tion counselor, will co-lead the workshop. Space is limited, so participants must register to attend

by visiting www.sbtdc.org/business-events/intellectual-property-workshop-2.

Thursday, April 25CELTIC CONCERT, 8 p.m., Diana Wortham

Auditorium, Pack Place, 2 S. Pack Square, down-town Asheville. Comas will perform in a concert of Celtic music. For tickets, which are $30 for the public, $25 for students and $15 for aes 12 and younger, call 257-4530.

Friday, April 26SISTER PREJEAN LECTURE, 2:30-3:30 p.m.,

Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. Sister Prjean will speak about abolishing the death penalty in a talk titled “Dead Man Walking — the Journey Continues.” The film of the same title was based on her life. See listing at 8 p.m. April 26 for related play presentation. Admission is free.

SOCIAL JUSTICE FILM, 7 p.m., Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. The film “Brother Outsider, the Life of Bayard Rustin” will be shown in conjunc-tion with the YMCA’s Stand Against Racism events. The film covers the life of a master strategist and tireless activist. He is credited with bringing Gandhi’s protest techniques to the American civil rights movement, and was fired from important leadership positions because he was openly gay. Donations will be accepted.

CONCERT, 7 p.m., Kimmel Arena, UNC Asheville. Snatam Kaur will perform sacred songs of India and Sanskrit chants.

“DEAD MAN WALKING” PLAY, 8 p.m., Lipinsky Auditorium, UNC Asheville. “Dead Man Walking” will be presented as a play. See 2:30 p.m. April 26 listing for information on related lecture.

Saturday, April 27EARTH STEWARDSHIP DAY, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.,

Blue Ridge Community College, East Flat Rock. The Environmental and Conservation Organiza-tion will hold its second annual Earth Steward-

ship Day, with many local partners to work in projects, including a community arboretum garden labyrinth, designing a walking trails anmd buffer planting to mitigate erosion. The program will be followed by a picnic.

LAKE LURE SPRING FLING/TOGA RUN, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Morse Park Meadows, Lake Lure. The Lake Lure Spring Fling Festival and 5K Toga Run will feature carnival games, bounce houses, and arts and craft vendors. Also, the Lake Lure Classical Academy PTO invites visitors to get doused in an arena of silly string. Children will be allowed to enter age-appropriate silly string arenas and get covered from head to toe in total silliness. Adding to the madness is a 5K run in which runners will don their best-made togas.

Sunday, April 28PAN HARMONIA CONCERT, 5 p.m., Man-

hemimer Room, UNC Asheville. Pan Harmonia, Asheville’s acclaimed chamber music collective, will perform in concert.

Tuesday, April 30BOB DYLAN CONCERT, 8 p.m., U.S. Cellular

Center, downtown Asheville. Legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan will perform in concert. Dylan, 71, first made a splash on the folk music scene in the 1960s.The show wil be part of a tour with 23 performances.



Iconic singer-songwriter Bob Dylan will perform in concert at 8 p.m. April 30 in the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Asheville.


FRANKLIN — The Lovin’ Spoonful, featuring two of the members of the original four-man 1960s folk-rock band, performed a 90-minute concert — mostly of their hits from that much-touted era — and even managed to weave in some music history during a March 29 concert at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts.

Having braved a rain-drenched, chilly night to reach the venue, an audience of more than 600 people within the plush confines of the SMCPA was treated to the sunny, good-time music of what — arguably — is the most successful ‘60s pop-rock group with folk and jug band roots.

Anticipating seeing The Lovin’ Spoon-ful, which was formed in 1964 and is missing its founder and top songwriter and lead singer — guitarist-autoharpist John Sebastian; and its lead-guitar player-vocalist — Zal Yanovsky; and which hasn’t had a major hit since the ‘60s, I would not have been surprised if the current five-member band just sort of dialed-in its songs (performing just rote renditions), collected a paycheck and moved on to the next town.

However, that was most definitely not the case in Franklin. Indeed, the band staged a high-energy, fun-loving show that exhib-ited deep respect for the Lovin’ Spoonful’s music and a special reverence for each its best-known songs. The group also man-aged to connect with the crowd, for which it expressed much appreciation for keeping it going. The crowd reciprocated.

Performing were originals Joe Butler; vocalist, autoharp and percussion instru-ments; and Steve Boone, bassist. (Butler originally was the group’s drummer.) Also featured was near-original Jerry Yester, who joined the band in mid-1967 to replace Yanovsky when he left — after being involved in a drug bust — to return to his native Canada. Yester played rhythm guitar, keyboards and often provided lead vocals — and he sparkled as a top talent on the stage. Rounding out the band were Mike Arturi, drums; and Phil “Guitar” Smith, lead guitar and backup vocals.

Many of the lead vocals were capably han-dled by Yester, who has a voice, manner and folk-rock look similar to Sebastian’s. However, Butler, who resembled Kenny Rogers with his white hair and beard, has a low and somewhat gruff vocal range, also sang lead at times.

After being introduced as “one of the greatest rock groups of all time,” the band drew a loud applause from the audience as it launched into its opener, “You Didn’t Have to Be So Nice.”

Two songs into the show, Boone, the bassist, said as the crowd cheered, “Hello, Franklin! Are y’all ready to rock ‘n’ roll here tonight?” He praised the SMCPA as “one of the nicest places we’ve ever played in.”

Boone, a North Carolina native, noted that “the Lovin’ Spoonful was the first rock band to have a hit on the country charts at the same time as we had a hit on the rock charts.”

As the crowd cheered in anticipation, the group broke into “Nashville Cats,” with Yester singing lead in a lively rendition of the crossover classic, followed up with another favorite, “Jug Band Music,” a fun song which delighted the crowd.

Changing gears, the group played the mellow “Didn’t Want to Have to Do It,” a hauntingly beautiful and complex tune.

Following a lenthy drum solo, Boone told

the crowd, “You know, 69 years ago I was born in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. For 48 years, I’ve been with the Lovin’ Spoonful, out touring.... If someone had told me in 1965 that 48 years later I’d still be standing up here,” he would not have believed it, Boone said.

Before introducing the band members, Boone said, “A couple of guys have left the band through the years” and he wanted to rec-ognize them. First, he said Sebastian wrote songs that “are benchmarks of the 1960s and he’ll be remembered” for a long time. He said Yanovsky “won’t be on the same level” as Sebastian, “but guys like Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck have said they liked his work.”

After the introductions, the band played such crowd-pleasers as “Did You Ever Have to Make Up Your Mind?” and “Daydream.” Singing lead on “Daydream,” Yester asked the audience to whistle along during the last part of the song and declared, “Well, you sound like a bunch of spring peepers out there.” At the end of the song, he modified his assess-ment to say, “As I live and breathe, this is the Canary Tabernacle Choir, ladies and gentle-men!” His comments delighted the crowd.

Other notable songs included “Six O’Clock” and “Darling Be Home Soon,” after which Yester announced, “We’re go-ing to do something different. We’re going to go back to 1964,” when the Lovin’ Spoonful came out of the (Greenwich Village in New York City) folk-rock tradition.... “that is, until the Beatles came on Ed Sullivan in late 1964” and the folk music movement virtually died, but groups like the Lovin; Spoonful survived because they blend folk and rock music.

To that end, Yester said, “We’re going to do a medley of songs by friends of ours” The group played a verse and chorus (and some-times more) of “Never My Love” by The As-sociation; “Walk Away Renée” by The Left Banke; “Mr. Tambourine Man” by The Byrds’ (and written by Bob Dylan) and “California Dreamin’” by the Mamas & The Papas.

“It’s a privilege and an honor to share these songs with you — and you guys have been a great audience,” Butler said. The group then finished the regular show with the Lovin’ Spoonful’s two top hits, “Summer in the City” followed by “Do You Believe in Magic?”

Butler sang lead on both songs and the crowd gave the group a standing ovation as it left the stage. It was noted that Billboard magazine named “Summer in the City” as the greatest-ever summer-themed song.)

After a few minutes of nonstop applause, the Lovin’ Spoonful returned to the stage for an encore, with Yester noting, “We’ve got time for one more,” as the crowd erupted in cheers. The group finished with “Don’t You Just Know It,” a humorous 1958 song by Huey “Piano” Smith and The Clowns.

Calendar of Events


Continued from Page 16`


Lovin’ Spoonful original members (from left) Joe Butler and Steve Boone — and near-original Jer-ry Yester — performed March 29 in Franklin.

Saturday, May 4HERMAN’S HERMITS’ REVUE, 7:30 p.m.,

Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts, Franklin. Herman’s Hermits starring Peter Noone will perform. At the age of 15, Noone, a Man-chester, England, native, achieved international fame as “Herman,” lead singer of the legendary 1960s pop band Herman’s Hermits. His classic hits included: “I’m Into Something Good,” “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got A Lovely Daughter,” “I’m Hen-ry VIII, I Am,” “Silhouettes,” “Can’t You Hear My Heartbeat,” “Just A Little Bit Better,” “Wonderful World,” “There’s A Kind of Hush,” “A Must To Avoid,” “Listen People,” “The End of the World”

and “Dandy.” The SMCPA noted that, “ultimately, Herman’s Hermits sold over 60 million record-ings, of which several became certified as gold. Accompanied by his band, Herman’s Hermits, Noone consistently plays to sold-out venues the world over delighting fans with his extraordinary talent, disarming wit, handsome features and compelling stage presence.” For tickets, which are $20 and $28, call 524-1598 or visit Great-MountainMusic.com.

Friday, May 17CONCERT, 8 p.m., Tryon Fine Arts Center, 34

Melrose Ave., Tryon. The Steep Canyon Rangers will perform in concert. For tickets, call 859-8322 or visit 222.tryonarts.org.

Still looking youthful, Peter Noone (left), original lead singer of Herman’s Hermits, will perform in concert with the group at 7:30 p.m. May 4 at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. Above, is a portion of an album cover from the 1960s of the group as it appeared at its peak of popularity. The British Invasion band sold 52 million records and tallied 24 gold hits. Formed in Manchester in 1963 as Herman & The Hermits, the group’s re-cord producer, Mickie Most, emphasized a simple, non-threatening, clean-cut image, although the band originally played rhythm-and-blues numbers.

The Steep Canyon Rangers, shown above during a performance on National Public Radio’s “A Prairie Home Companion,” will play at 8 p.m. May 17 at the Tryon Fine Arts Center in Tryon.

Review: Lovin’ Spoonfulkeeps that ‘60s magic alive

An interview with the Lovin’ Spoonfuls’Steve Boone appears on Page 24


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Send us your faith notesPlease submit items to the Faith Notes by noon on the third Wednesday of each month, via e-mail, at [email protected], or fax to 252-6567, or mail c/o The Daily Planet, P.O. Box 8490, Asheville, N.C. 28814-8490. Sub-missions will be accepted and printed at the dis-cretion of the editor, space permitting. To place an ad for a faith event, call 252-6565.

Monday, April 1PUB CHAT, 6 p.m., Mezzaluna restaurant, 226 N. Main

St., downtown Hendersonville. The Unity Center in Mills River will hold “Truth on Tap,” a pub chat on matters spiritual and otherwise. A love offering will be taken.

Tuesday, April 2KEY PASSING, noon, Asheville Area Habitat for

Humanity, 33 Meadow Rd., Asheville. AAHH will hold a key passing ceremony for two homes sponsored by 18 local United Methodist churches and 16 congregations from the interfaith community, respectively in their 21st and 14th years of sponsorship. The participating congregations have helped rase funds and volunteers to build the houses.

STUDY GROUP MEETING, 2-4 p.m., Unity Church of Asheville, 130 Shelburne Rd., Asheville. The Edgar Cayce Study Group will meet each week.

OPEN DISCUSSION, 6 p.m. Christian Science Rad-ing Room, 2 Wall St., downtown Asheville. An open discussion on spiritual healing will focuss on home-lessness with an introduction by Homeward Bound. The discussions will continue very first Tuesday.

Wednesday, April 3ISLAM COURSE, 3:30-5:30 p.m., First Congregational

United Church of Christ, 1735 Fifth Ave. West, Henderson-ville. The first of five consecutive Wednesday courses on Islam, titled “Reaching Common Ground: An Inter-Faith Exploraton of Islam,” will be held. Offered by the United Religions Initiative, the series will explore the history, tenets and future of Islam, including common ground between Islam and Christianity.

RELATIONSHIP/COMEDY FILM, 7 p.m., Unity Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. Robert Du-bac’s film “Inside the Male Intellect” will be shown. The film aims to depict comedy and truth about men and women. At 6:30 p.m., prior to the screening, wine and appetizers will be served. Those attending should bring a love offering and an appetizer to share.

Thursday, April 4DIVORCE SUPPORT GROUP, 6:30-8 p.m., First United

Methodist Church, 204 Sixth Ave. West. The DivorceCare support group will meet. All are welcome to join.

Friday, April 5INDOOR YARD SALE, 8 a.m.-noon, Family Life Center,

Zion Hill Baptist Church, 1008 Newfound Rd., Leicester. An indoor yard sale will be held.

Saturday, April 6MANTRA CONCERT, 7:30 p.m., Unity Center, 2041 Old

Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. Mantra in a chanting concert experience will be led by Karl Anthony and set in an atmosphere of soothing and dramatic laser visu-als. Attendees will be surrounded in light and welcome to participate — or just let go and relax in the healing vibration of mantra. Tickets are $12 in advance and $15 on the day of the event, with children ages 18 and under admitted for free.

Sunday, April 7BUDDHISM CLASS, 7-8:30 p.m., Orchard House,

Rainbow Mountain Children’s School, 574 Haywood Rd., Asheville. RMCS will present “The Art of Peaceful Living: Meditation & Buddhism for the Modern World” on Sundays from April 7 to May 12. Participants will be able to get advice on meditation and daily life from Buddhist teacher Sharon Lovich. Cost per class is $8 for the general public, $5 for seniors and students. To learn more, e-mail [email protected].

Wednesday, April 10“WORK” WORKSHOP, 7-9 p.m., Unity Center,

2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. ”The Work”

introductory workshop will be held, with options of attending just the opening night or three sessions (April 10, 7-9 p.m.; April 13, 1:30-7:30 p.m.; April 14, 2-5 p.m. The workshop asks the question: “Who would you be without your story? ‘The Work of Byron Katie’ is a way of identifying and questioning the thoughts that cause all the anger and fear in the world. Experience the happi-ness of undoing those thoughts through The Work, and allow your mind to return to its true, awakened, peaceful, creative nature.” The workshop will be led by two local practitioners of “The Work.” A love offering will be taken.

Friday, April 12FILM SCREENING, 7-9 p.m., Sandburg Hall, Unitar-

ian Universalist Congregation of Asheville, 1 Edwin Place, Asheville. The monthly Social Justice Move Night will be feature “Crossing Arizona.” The film examines the U.S. im-migration crisis. A discussion will follow. Admission is free.

Wednesday, April 17“WORK” WORKSHOP, 7-9 p.m., Unity Center, 2041

Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. A course on “How to Pray” will be led by the Rev. Pat Veenema in a six-session course. The class is open to everyone, but a pre-requisite is the chaplain training program. A love offering will be taken.

Saturday, April 20INTUITIVE AWAKENING CLASS, 3-5 p.m., Unity Cen-

ter, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. Charley Castex, globally acclaimed for clairvoyant accuracy and empowering guidance, will share “powerful strategies and offers keen insights for cultivating daily intuition,” Unity noted. The two-hour “Intuitive Awakening” class will include an interactive question-and-answer session with Castex. The cost is $25.

Sunday, April 21SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN SERVICE, 6 p.m., Avery’s

Creek United Methodist Church, corner of Brevard and Glen Bridge roads, Arden. A fellowship dinner and service for special-needs children will be held every third Sunday. All are welcome regardless of ability to participate.

Friday, April 26ANNUAL AUCTION, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6:30), Unity

Center, 2041 Old Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. Unity will hold its annual auction that includes gift certificates and hundreds of merchandise items and services. A silent auction will be set up on tables for written bids from 7 to 8 p.m., with music provided by The Unitic Band and friends. Selected larger items will be sold in regular auction format, led by auctioneer Ben Campen. Admission is free.

Sunday, April 28SACRED SYNERGY, 6-9 p.m., Unity Center, 2041 Old

Fanning Bridge Rd., Mills River. The program — held on the second and fourth Sundays — begins with a potluck at 6 p.m., followed by a service at 7 p.m. At-tendees are asked to bring food to share. The service opens with the the sound of Sacred Synergy band, a collaboration of ethnic and tribal rhythms infused with jam-band and electronic groves to lift one’s mind, body and spirit. Movement and ecstatic dance are welcomed.After the music, the service flows into the heart with meditation and satsang. Meditation will be followed by guest speakers, presentation, or a film on universal truths. The service will wind down with the Sacred Synergy band, followed by crystal singing bowls and silent prayer. After the service, there will be time for conversation and sharing. A love offering will be taken.

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Faith NotesAsheville Daily Planet — April— 2013— 19

Unity of Mills River is launching a new Sunday schedule!

Beginning on April 14, we will conduct one Sunday Service, and offer a participatory discussion forum, the “Spiritual Food Group.” Child care is provided for both activities. Sunday Service will be held from 10:00 - 11:15 AM, followed by the “Spiritual Food Group” discussion from 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM. Recent surveys produced an overwhelming response of sup-port to begin this initiative. With one service, we anticipate a packed house creating high energy and a new level of bond-ing among congregants. The “Spiritual Food Group” discus-sions will give us all a chance to deepen the Unity experience and teachings. Between now and April 14, our services will continue at 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM. Easter Sunday offers an additional Sonrise Service at 7:30 AM. Come join us every Sunday and be part of this new adventure in our journey toward prosperity and spiritual expansion!

Unity CenterMills River, N.C.

Celebrating life with an open heart and mind...





Send fax to: (828) 252-6567

LETTERS

Though few would claim the badge, most Americans are dedicated socialists. That label is not being tossed as a personal insult. It’s just a simple statement of fact. The dic-tionary defines socialism as, “Governmental ownership and administration of the means of production and distribution of goods.” That doesn’t mean a proletariat rep has to be sitting in every business. If you make all the rules, regulate with a heavy hand, control the legal system, manipulate the currency, and rig the tax code, then you’re in charge. If that you happens to be the government, then socialism is the game. To the extent the majority elected Obama, a socialist by declaration, definition, and deed, then we can assume enthusiasm for his policies and practices. So what should conservatives do? Get educated, stay engaged, turn on the lights, resist the nonsense, and press on toward the antidotes to socialism – reality, reason, responsibility and right.

More gun control hystericsFor a crystal clear view of the immoral-

ity of political gun phobics, take a quick look at our government’s double standards. They’re ordering ammo by the billions but seek to limit our access. They work in buildings with screening systems, armed security, and restricted access, but our home should be happy with pepper spray and “911” on speed dial. They get to carry a gun or carry a guy around who carries a gun and we’re supposed to pretend nothing is wrong? If our police departments, court houses, and other building are set-up like fortresses, why are we supposed to just smile and pretend all is OK? What they’re doing is the sinking ship equivalent of the crew pushing passengers aside to climb on board the lifeboats. At a time when our world is getting more dangerous there are many seeking to disarm us. Noticing that this “us” does not include “them” tells us all we need to know.

On budget cutsLike any force fueled by vanity, govern-

ment bureaucrats and elected officials tend to believe they’re indispensible. Having painted themselves into a corner with the sequester plan, they are now being forced to actually make some spending cuts. Before

conservative thinkers get too excited, if every reduction in place happens, the impact on our accumulating debt will be minimal. Still, all good things start small, so we’re happy to see something happen – even if it is unfold-ing like a circus act. You can look for Uncle Sam and Company to do everything they can to make us feel guilty and afraid of reducing their play money. They’ll cut back in the most visible way. Like Obama’s reduction of ille-gal immigration enforcement days before the deadline and the termination of White House tours last week. One thing you can bet won’t be on the chopping block are campaign and pleasure trips on Air Force One.

2 peas in a socialist podLike most despotic socialists, on his

exit Hugo Chavez left a mess. Similar to another seduc-tive personality you might know here it home, Mr. Chavez relied on populism as a source of power. Populism is nothing more

than pandering to a chosen victim group to cultivate mascots. In Chavez’s case he pitted the poor against the rich and gener-ated great loyalty from those he pretended to uplift. If that scenario reminds you of anything, it may be the language used by our President to divide us along similar lines. Chavez ran his show on oil money. Our President is running his on borrowed money. Both are short-cuts to power, not a future. Chavez leaves a country in a mess. Robbing Peter to Pay Paul to get power does that. Hugo Chavez was a bombastic political opportunist. His scam is unfold-ing into chaos. When the bills come due, his kindred socialist spirit in the U.S. will inherit a similar legacy.

CHAPEL HILL — Are you tired of the partisan divisiveness that is poisoning the political environment of our state and na-tion?

Do you wish that the politicians from the two parties would work together more often on issues of common concern?

Me too.Maybe we are getting what we wished for,

thanks to the North Carolina lottery and our country’s use of unmanned drone aircraft to target and kill our enemies throughout the world.

Welcome to the world of bipartisan divi-siveness?

You might get tired of this form of divi-siveness, too.

The legislature, then controlled by Demo-crats, established the state lottery at the urg-ing of Democratic Governor Mike Easley, whose pro-lottery positions were major campaign planks.

It was a popular issue for the governor, too. Schools needed the money. People wanted to play the games and were going across state lines to buy lottery tickets. A lot-tery would be a voluntary tax. Free money.

Most Republicans opposed the lottery’s establishment. So did lots of Democrats. Liberal Democrats agreed with libertarian Republicans that running a gambling busi-ness is not a proper function of government.

Government, they said, should encourage its citizens to work and save for their future, not on fostering dreams of getting rich by winning the lottery. Certainly, they contin-ued, government should not stoop to the low level of a carnival barker selling chances on games in which the odds of winning are stacked against the player.

Some lottery opponents argued that hav-ing state officials deal with the gaming in-dustry would have special pitfalls. Don’t expect to lie down with dogs and not come up with fleas, they warned.

Today, the lottery is an established part of state government, and there have been fewer fleabites than expected.

But, with Republicans now in charge of state government, they could ditch the lot-tery.

Will they?Gov. Pat McCrory recommends only a

first step, suggesting that the state “real-locate a portion of money away from the bloated and frankly annoying advertising

and the large administration costs of the lot-tery commission.”

Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger and one-time vigorous lottery opponent Representative Paul Stam are not pushing for lottery repeal, only reducing advertising and administrative expenses and fees.

Even these modest proposals have put the lottery back in play. Some Democrats will join Republicans to cut the lottery’s wings. And some Republicans will vote with Dem-ocrats to maintain or enhance the lottery’s profits.

More lottery divisiveness, but it is biparti-san divisiveness.

Similarly the bitter partisan divisions in Washington collapsed for a moment in early to mid-March after Senator Rand Paul fili-bustered the nomination of John Brennan to be director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Paul used his speaking time to call for ac-countability and clear policy for the use of drone aircraft for targeted killings. Specifi-cally, Paul demanded to know whether the U.S. president has the authority to direct the killing of some presumed enemy within the United States.

Republican Senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham denounced Paul for try-ing to tie the president’s hands in the fight against worldwide terrorism. Meanwhile, liberals like Washington Post columnist Eu-gene Robinson supported Paul. Robinson wrote, “The way we use drones as killing machines has to be consistent with our free-doms and our values. For grabbing us by the lapels, Rand Paul deserves praise.”

How much authority should the president have to call for drone strikes against sus-pected enemies of the country?

The question is divisive.Bipartisan divisive.Enjoy it while you can

•D.G. Martin hosts “North Carolina

Bookwatch,” which airs Fridays at 9:30 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m. on UNC-TV.

CarlMumpower

Daily Planet’s Opinion

D.G.Martin

Letters to the Editor

The Candid Conservative Most Americans are socialists

20 — April 2013 - Asheville Daily Planet

Lottery, drones spark bipartisanship

Asheville City Council recently showed wisdom in informally agreeing to stop funding the annual Bele Chere weekend after this summer’s festival.

Bele Chere, which has been grown to rank among the largest outdoor event of its kind in the South during its 34-year-existance, helped to revitalize downtown in its early years,

However, more recently the core city’s merchants have complained that it hurts their sales more than helps — and drives off regular customers.

It is our hope that Bele Chere will be hosted by private entities, that it will be shifted to a slower time of the year and to a different area, such as the River Arts District or the rapidly developing South Slope area, just south of downtown.

Not only does Bele Chere bring a potpourri of live music, food and bev-

erage vendors, games and other enter-tainment and fun, but a portion of the proceeds has been earmarked for non-profits that badly need the funds to help the area’s less fortunate residents.

Specifically, in each of the past three years, the city has paid 25 participating nonprofits slightly more than $40,000.

It should be noted that the nonprofits are not just “given” the funds, but put some skin in the game by providing volunteers, who sell wristbands for beer sales, work shuttles, serve beer and oth-er beverages and sell merchandise. The nonprofits were paid by the city, based on a sliding scale for the beverage sales and a flat fee for other work.

Assuming the city sticks to its plans to end its funding for Bele Chere, we hope some other entity takes over this festival and moves it to a better location and time.

Downtown Bele Chere? RIP Irresponsible dog-ownersunconcerned about others

I don’t understand people who have compassion for dogs, but little respect for people.

Dog-owners often do not obey the local leash laws. I don’t think it’s cute to be jumped on or slobbered on.

My child was terrified while walking in Bent Creek, when a dog knocked her down and took her peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich.

Dogs running free chase game. My friend was bitten. Dogs should not have more rights than people. If I did these things, I’d be in jail.

SUSAN HEUNEMANNAsheville

Evolution, creationism?Not mutually exclusive

Some of the things you find if you don’t limit information searches to supporting your own beliefs.

The proponents of evolution over cre-ation are many times citing the obvious errors in the Bible and one of the biggest is “The earth could have not been created in a single week. It has taken billions of years.”

However in the March 22 issue (of the Asheville Citizen-Times) we find an article (scientific) concerning the universe and the Big Bang Theory.

From evidence recently discovered it would appear that not a single planet, but entire visible portion of the universe exploded, cooled and expanded faster than the speed of light in less than a single second. Just what could have been done with remaining 604,799 seconds left in that week?

Evolution and creation are not mutually exclusive as we are finding more and more each day.

Question: Does the Bible, written by man, but maybe, inspired by God the Cre-ator, have some scientific basis?

ALLYN M. ALDRICHAsheville

See CANDID CONSERVATIVE, Page 25

See LETTERS, Page 22

The late Hugo Chavez

Asheville Daily Planet — April 2013— 21

Last month in this column I discussed climate change, some of the likely and fairly dire effects that might ensue, and a little about steps we can take as a society to ameliorate those problems.

In this essay I’ll address some ways you can take action to save money and the planet.

Let’s start with a simple idea that we can all agree on, whether or not you agree with most climate scientists that climate change is being accelerated by human activity — inefficient use of fuel wastes dollars.

If your car only gets 10 mpg, you visit the gas station five times as often as your neighbor with a 50-mpg hybrid. Every en-ergy system entails some waste, and most of our energy comes from burning fossil fuel: oil, gas and coal.

One way to measure the waste in such systems is to measure the exhaust gases produced compared to the work done, and we can refer to that as a carbon footprint, because carbon dioxide is a major compo-nent of the stuff coming out of tailpipes and smokestacks.

The City of Asheville adopted carbon reduction goals several years ago, and we have annually exceeded our target of a 4 percent decrease. City buildings are tighter, lighting and HVAC systems are more efficient, we’ve curbed paper waste, cut vehicle fuel use, and replaced streetlights.

While we continue our operational con-servation efforts, our next step is to extend that sort of planning into the community, to fashion policies that help citizens reduce their residential and business carbon foot-

prints, and to save the citizens of Asheville substantial money on power bills.

To that end, the city has recently com-pleted the first carbon emissions audit of a neighborhood, the results of which will be made public around the time that this column goes to print.

Maggie Ullman, energy coordinator for the city’s Sustainability Office, imple-mented a study of residences East of the Riverway — the neighborhoods adjacent to the River Arts District. The goal was to calculate current greenhouse gas emis-sions from those homes. This will give us a meaningful starting point, to measure the success of future efforts to reduce waste.

Since last July, I have been advocating a program referred to as a Zero Energy Dis-trict. A ZED is an area in which participat-ing residents and businesses start down the path toward producing as much energy as they use. Other municipalities around the world have created ZEDs in recent years, so we already have models to follow.

(Net-zero is an extremely ambitious goal, but whether or not it is ever achieved, any steps in that direction will lead us toward a much more sustainable future.)

Participants in discussions over these months have adopted a name I suggested — the Asheville Metro Area Zero Energy

District, or AMAZED.The district we envision is both geo-

graphic and virtual — that is, the first target will be in a specific area, East of the Riverway — and the broader goal will in-clude anyone who wants to join the effort. Eventually we hope that the entire metro area, then all of WNC will aim for net-zero.

There will be a community meeting in late May, at the Dr. Wesley Grant Sr. Southside Center, where you’ll be able to learn more and contribute to the startup of this project.

In the meantime, here is one very simple step you can take today. Join Progress Energy’s EnergyWise Home program. Call (800) 452-2777, or visit the Progress Energy Web site to start saving.

If you have electric hot water or use a heat pump or central air conditioner, they will come to your home and install wireless controls that enable the utility to briefly turn off your unit(s) during times of peak power demand. Such events are so infre-quent and of such short duration that you’ll never notice the change.

Progress will give you $25 per unit (up to $75) per year for participating. You’ll help reduce the need for new power plants, and take a big step toward reducing the energy use of the entire community.

There is, of course, much more you can do. Stay tuned.

.•Cecil Bothwell is author of eight books,

including “Whale Falls: An Exploration of Belief and Its Consequences,” and a member of Asheville City Council.

On the leftSave your ass(ets) and be AMAZED

CecilBothwell

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Letters to the Editor


I start every day in my ageless yellow corduroy chair, by an open window when possible, hoping for birds singing in the nearby woods. This is my time to think through issues and anticipate the day ahead. It’s a peaceful time.

One morning recently, though, I realized that I was…what?...very happy! It was a totally positive feeling down deep in my being somewhere.

Right away I realized that the source of my joy was ─ simply ─ that I’m a Democrat.

I scribbled down details, but before I get to that, I should tell how I came to be a Demo-crat. I voted for Nixon in 1960 and, soon thereafter, went to the Philippines as a mission-ary Bible translator.

Those years changed me. I lived with resourceful, tough, but terribly poor, people. Ever since then I’ve been solidly behind people who struggle to get by, with small busi-ness enterprises, with the poor.

When I returned to the U.S. after 15 years, my first stop was the Jimmy Carter headquar-ters in Times Square, to volunteer. I hadn’t voted since 1960, but I knew I was a Demo-crat.

So why am I happy to be a Democrat? Because I can’t ignore the powerless and

give more power to the powerful. I have to oppose people who see the world as a profit center and working people as an annoying line on their profit-and-loss sheets.

When I worked for Democrats in last year’s campaign, I was working for public educa-tion that lifts up ambitious young people and

for health care that gives peace to parents in despair over suffering children. I give smiling thanks to God for this privilege of service ─ service in politics.

I’m happy that I get to spend time with positive-minded people, people who see politics as a way to make life better for more people. And I get to actively oppose people who gladly cut programs that help the poor so they can “shrink government.”

I’m happy because I get to support people who love our earth and want to protect it for later generations. And I get to oppose people and companies who see the world’s resources as something to be exploited for somebody’s profit.

I’m happy because I get to support people who want as many people to vote as possible. And I get to oppose people who use voter-sup-pression gimmicks, like voter ID, to maximize their power.

Rush Limbaugh calls people like me bleed-ing hearts. I wear his scoffing as a badge. And I can’t help wondering if Jesus’ opponents didn’t call him a bleeding heart for some of his ideas, like Matthew 25:34-40.

•Lee Ballard lives in Mars Hill.

What’s it mean to bea Democrat? Joyous

Lee Ballard

Commentary


Letters to the EditorOld Grouch’s Military Surplus

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LETTERS

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following letter began with this assertion: “Answer to Lee Ballard’s steam-release valve, which worked instead of blowing this up.” Bal-lard writes an opinion column for the Daily Planet and this letter was in refer-ence to his essay in the March edition.

• Whether or not (Daily Planet columnist)

Lee Ballard and others of like-minded viewpoints disagree, the truth remains, our United States is a democratic-republic-form of government, birthed by a Christian, biblical-minded, gentle-minded people.

His statement, “I’m ready for pitchforks and torches” is the wrong attitude.

I am of the conservative Republican stand-point. I, too, along with millions of others, see the wrong path the Republicans are on.

Example, the first thing on their things-to-do list? Put in financial raises for all their elite politcians. This is nationwide. No backbone, guts or honesty to do what their platform stated. More corruption going on by both parties daily. Tell lies to cover it up.

To save our United States from the dicta-torship of England and to end up with what we’ve got (a freedom-based nation), we had to have the war for indendence.

The only thing that will stop us from a nosedive into self-destruction is Prayer

Power, along with repentence for our na-tion’s sinful ways, which are getting worse every day.

The alternative?Destruction by the creator God.

JEROME PETERSMarion

Utter destruction termed certain if U.S. fails to get right with God

See LETTERS, Page 23


Educator’s comments onclasses for autistic? Mean

It is a fact that one in every 88 children will be diagnosed with autism and one in ev-ery 54 males. That percentage is just unreal.

Maybe there are some individuals that are still unaware of these vital statistics. I am the grandmother of an autistic grandson of whom I am very proud of.

Recently certain statements where brought to my attention made by an educator in your city. The statements I took offense to and just would like the public to be aware of such prejudice and small-minded people in this world, holding positions they should not be holding.

Upon a conversation with the educator regarding autistic children in his school, of which there are NO classes, his first comment was: “I guess we should place a Statue of Liberty out in front of our school.” The second comment was: “We only accept healthy children in our school.”

When comments such as above are voiced, maybe the person should take a look at the big picture and think before speaking. As an educated person he needs to be repri-manded for his actions and comments.

KARIN STERNERMyrtle Beach, S.C.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Sterner’s grandson lives in Asheville.

‘Top-free’ organizer saysMumpower right on issue

I want to thank Carl Mumpower for his response to my (March 12) email. I agree with him that it is wrong to change a state law based on perceived problems in just one city.

However, local ordinances are subject to the same federal laws as the state. A local ordinance based on gender must pass the same constitutional tests as does the state of North Carolina. The local ordinances for Wilmington and Waynesville, for example, were passed prior to 1971, but their public indecency ordi-nances are clearly unconstitutional.

The year 1971 is important because that is the year that the Supreme Court of the U.S.A. began interpreting the 14th Amendment Equal Protection Clause to include gender and sexual orientation ( See Reed vs. Reed 1971).

N.C. State Reps. (Tim) Moffitt and (Rayne) Brown erroneously quote the Su-preme Court ruling on Fly (1998). This rul-ing was not about public indecency pertain-ing to “mooning” in public. The ruling, was instead, about the intent of mooning. “The defendant willfully exposed his private parts in the presence of a member of the opposite sex, apparently for the shock value of the act and its hoped — for effect on Ms. Glover.”

Thus the indecency exposure is held to depend on the intent and would not apply to a woman who is merely top-free, pursuing normal activities. This case was decided 15 years ago, yet no one in the entire state has officially raised issue with this ruling over that lengthy time period.

The top-free women in Asheville have pursued normal activities. The intent was to peacefully protest inequality in the interpreta-tion and enforcement of public indecency law. That intent was written on the permit that I purchased. We verbalized this intent in our speeches during the event and those comments can easily be seen on many social media out-lets. Our activities are clearly constitutional.

I believe that Dr. Mumpower and Mr. (Chad) Nesbitt are honorable men of prin-ciple. I don’t believe that the two of them would knowingly want an unconstitutional law to be purposely passed in order to tem-porarily stop women from their constitution-ally protected top-free activities.

JEFF JOHNSONHuntsville, Ala.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Johnson, who bills himself as a “civil rights advocate,” was the organizer of last year’s GoTopless rally in downtown Asheville.

Duke prof’s rebuttaltermed a ‘non-rebuttal’

Dr. Tim Tyson’s very long response last month (in the Daily Planet) to my brief column made me think of Shakespeare, that Tyson “doth protest too much, methinks.”

I touched upon only two topics very nar-row in scope, the Duke historian’s likely role in killing off the Vance-Aycock Dinner, and false publications to Duke students accusing Charles Aycock of leading a mob in Wilm-ington that committed arson, anarchy and murder. His rebuttal (which rebutted noth-ing I said and supported much of it) ranged from pre-Civil War through conditions in North Carolina’s public schools today. Dr. Tyson, who called me “cranky” because I questioned his objectivity, seems touchy about being challenged. He should be.

Readers may search for “Dr Tim Tyson” on line and review critiques by others of his work and public posturing, and judge for themselves.

Families written about in “Blood Done Sign My Name” have presented a sub-stantial criticism of that book. While they have a personal interest, there is at least one impartial review of their study that deserves to be taken seriously. Dr. Tyson’s public response to the Duke lacrosse scandal has met with significant criticism. Readers may judge for themselves.

Duke student publications and blogs falsely published that Charles Aycock led the mob at Wilmington in November 1898, which is completely refuted by the state’s Wilmington Race Riot Commission Report. Dr. Tyson and Duke President Richard Brodhead were indifferent to their students’ exposure to lies about a former governor, libel the students would not have read were they not students at Duke. Their defense seemed to be that it would be “censorship” for a historian and the school administra-tion to see that their students know the facts. However, -winner, Frank Barrows, former managing editor of The Charlotte Observer, to supervise its student newspaper when it went over the line in its reporting. Which university had it right?

To his credit, Dr. Tyson played a part in achieving pardons for the Wilmington 10 late in the Governor Perdue administra-tion. These pardons were not based upon guilt or innocence (somebody did commit those crimes) but upon misconduct by the prosecution. But Dr. Tyson has known for several years of false charges on his campus against a former governor, and has disdained to see the injustice right there under his eyes. I thought justice was color blind.

The N.C. Democratic Party will soon hold its Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, an annual fundraiser that honors two men who owned slaves. I have no knowledge that Dr. Tyson ever had a problem with that, though he is hostile to a governor who did all in his power to educate children of slaves.

Is this objective, fair and balanced? How does he make these decisions?

The Republicans controlled both Houses of the state legislature and the governor’s of-fice before the riot in 1898. The legislature gave the governor power to appoint one half of the Wilmington City Council.

The Democrats sued to overturn the legisla-tion and lost. Imagine the anger today if Gov. Pat McCrory were given the power to appoint one half of the Asheville City Council. Now after regaining that dominance more than a century later, the GOP legislature is taking over local governments again, water systems, airports, the structureof local government, etc. And they are gutting our public schools.

And the Democrats will not even whisper Charles Aycock’s name.

JIM AYCOCKAsheville

EDITOR’S NOTE; Former N.C. Gov. Charles Brantley Aycock was Jim Ay-cock’s great-grandfather’s brother.

Letters Asheville Daily Planet — April 2013 — 23

From Staff Reports

A-B Tech President Hank Dunn recently admitted that, earlier in March, he rushed the swearing-in of Madison County Com-missioner Wayne Brigman to A-B Tech’s Board of Trustees.

The move blocked Buncombe County Commissioner Mike Fryar’s appointment to the same board because state law limits al-lows just one local commissioner at a time to serve.

Dunn reportedly acknowledged in an in-terview with the Asheville Citizen-Times that the Brigman appointment was meant, in part, to block Fryar and instead appoint board members who are more supportive of the college.

Fryar, who recently was elected as a com-missioner, has been a frequent critic of Dunn’s leadership as a private citizen. In 2011, he fought against a 25-cent sales tax to provide $129 million for A-B Tech construction and renovation projects. The measure passed.

The Buncombe commissioners (com-prised of four Democrats and three Repub-licans), in a show of what some observers cited as an example of bipartisanship, unan-imously appointed Fryar, a Republican, to represent Buncombe on the A-B Tech board.

Upon learning of Dunn’s maneuver to keep him off the board, Fryar called the A-B Tech president a “Little Hitler” and a “sick little puppy.” In the aftermath of his state-ment, Fryar issued an apology reprinted in full below.

In the meantime, former Buncombe com-missioners’ Chairman Nathan Ramsey, a Republican, who is a first-year state legis-lator, sponsored a bill that would allow for Fryar to serve on the A-B Tech board. Spe-cifically, the bill, if approved, would allow two commissioners to serve on the board.

Ramsey reportedly said that the bill would be needed, even if there were no controver-sy. The bill’s co-sponsors includ Reps. Tim Moffitt, R-Arden; and Michele Presnell, a Republican whose district includes Madi-son County.

The A-B Tech board held a special meet-ing March 21and the next day Dunn issued a press release in which he apologized that is reprinted in full below.

The Daily Planet received the follow-ing statement from Buncombe County Commissioner Mike Fryar on March 19:

•To the Citizens of Buncombe County:

I am pleased that the Asheville Citizen-Times has pursued coverage of the A-B Tech situation in recent days.

First of all, I apologize for the use of the “Little Hitler” reference to Dr. (Hank) Dunn. Two wrongs do not make a right. What I in-tended to convey was a dictatorial style that does not allow room for different opinions.

As a Buncombe County commissioner who opposed this sales tax being placed in a city election, although it included a tax on all Buncombe County residents,

I see my current role as one to oversee the use of these tax dollars in the most economi-cal and beneficial manner.

I see A-B Tech as a great community re-source and I want to see it succeed. What I do not want to see happen is that the Board of Trustees gives up its authority in hiring and evaluating the college president.

I believe that what Dr. Dunn did in the

case of working to keep me off the Board of Trustees was beyond his authority and it undermines the authority of the full Board of Trustees.

From what I understand about the situa-tion, three members of the A-B Tech organi-zation orchestrated an underhanded process that may have caused the Madison County (Board of) Commissioners to violate the open meetings law, in an attempt to dictate that I would not have the opportunity to serve on the Board.

I saw my service on the board as an op-portunity to provide my opinions directly and in a timely manner regarding the expen-ditures of the sales tax income.

Finally, the phrase “sick little puppy” is a mountain expression to indicate that some-one is not doing well, especially in the role they should be fulfilling.

I do believe that two executive board members were wrong in helping with this maneuver that prevented myself, or any oth-er Buncombe County commissioner, from having the opportunity to serve on the A-B Tech board.

I feel that those involved should remove themselves from the executive board.

Sincerely,COMMISSIONER MIKE FRYAR

Fairview•

A-B Tech Community College issued the following “press release” on March 22 from A-B Tech’s Dr. Hank Dunn:

•From the beginning of my tenure, I have

sought to act in the best interest of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.

I have conducted broad community out-reach to build positive relationships and to gain support for the college.

As president, I have also had to make some difficult leadership decisions with a goal of maintaining A-B Tech’s position as a leader among community colleges.

One of my decisions has not had the in-tended result. My actions arising over the appointment of a new trustee resulted in widespread concerns and criticisms. In re-examining this decision, I realize in retro-spect that I made a mistake. Although I was concerned with the best interest of the Col-lege from a philosophical standpoint, I truly regret my mistake.

The Board of Trustees had concerns that they have made clear to me. The Board wel-comes differing opinions and the free ex-change of ideas resulting in what is best for the College.

Finally, I fully appreciate the right of ap-pointing entities to designate individuals to serve on the Board of Trustees. I am proud of A-B Tech and will continue to act to ensure it is a leader among community colleges.

DR. HANK DUNNPresident

A-B Technical Community CollegeAsheville

Local NewsA-B Tech wranglingfollowed by apologies

Mike Fryar Hank Dunn


There still are some bands performing high-quality music today comparable to that of the Lovin’ Spoonful in the mid-1960s, Steve Boone, bassist and songwriter for the group, said in a telephone interview with the Daily Planet before the group’s March 29 concert.

He specifically cited The Lumineers’ “Ho Hey” as an example how the Lovin’ Spoon-ful might sound, if it was in its prime today. The Lumineers folk-rock band is based in Denver, Colo.

Boone also mentioned British folk-rock band Mumford & Sons as “another ex-ample, similar in style.”

“There still are some successful artists doing that kind of music,” Boone said. “But it’s largely computer-aided or gener-ated.” In contrast, he said, “We (the Lovin’ Spoonful) were an electric jug band roots music band.”

Boone himself admits to using a com-puter for songwriting and creating demos these days, which is something “I couldn’t have done... 30 years ago.”

“In many ways, a computer can help the songwriter, but there’s also a tendency to allow the computer to take over” and that is why some much of today’s music sounds the same. He said it is vital for the song-

writer to keep control of the songwriting process — and not cede it to computers.

In further categorizing the Lovin’ Spoon-ful, “having come from jug band roots, Boone said, “we weren’t really country-rock like The Eagles and The Byrds.”

Interestingly, some of the Spoonful’s most popular songs, including “Do You Be-lieve in Magic?” “You Didn’t Have to Be

So Nice” and others were in the pop-rock vein, Boone said.

An example of a Spoonful song with a jug band emphasis is “Daydream,” he said.

And what is Boone’s general assessment of today’s music scene?

“I think there’s plenty of good music out there,” he replied. However, he added that one often has to search to find it. “Go on satellite or specialty smaller stations....”

Besides the Spoonful, “it’s hard not to put the Beatles in that position” of best band of the 1960s area. He said the Beatles had a “very jug-bandish influence” and “they loved skiffle music.”

One level down from the Beatles, Boone said The Moody Blues “was my favorite” ‘60s band.

On another question, Boone said the Lovin’ Spoonful was offered an opportunity to be the featured band — and keeping its name — in the television show that later was called “The Monkees.” They turned down the opportunity because “we already had a hit record” and did not think they needed the show. (That Spoonful hit at that time was “You Didn’t Need to Be So Nice.”)

So what are the hopes and aspirations of the current lineup of the Loving Spoonful?

“Well, it’s a job,” Boone replied. “If you have the opportunity, you work. Personally, I enjoy it,” he said in reference to touring. While the audiences for the Lovin’ Spoon-

ful shows trend older, he said “you’ll see all ages” there.

As for his own future, Boone said, “Well, I just signed a contract with a book publisher to release a book. I’m going to release music on the Internet.”

What is the group’s relationship with its departed founder, John Sebastian?

Of their ongoing friendship, Boone said, “Oh, sure” that he stays in contact with Se-bastian and they exchange songwriting tips. In fact, “John (who lives in Woodstock, N.Y.) and I are still kicking around some song ideas.” Boone said Sebastian even may record again with the Lovin’ Spoonful, although nothing definite is in the works.

Boone, a Camp Lejeune, N.C. native, noted that the Lovin’ Spoonful is well-aware of Western North Carolina, having played at a show in Sapphire last year and at Asheville’s Bele Chere celebration about four or five years ago. He said he recol-lects the group playing other concerts in Asheville through the years.

With a laugh, he noted that, despite hav-ing a last name of Boone, he only once has visited the town, reaching it at night when he took a circuitous route. “So I’ve never really seen Boone during the daytime,” but he plans to rectify that problem in the near future, Boone the man said of Boone the town.

A review of the Lovin’ Spoonful’s March 29 concert appears on Page 17.

BizarroContinued from Page 1`


At that point, his fellow protesters cheered him for having the courage to tell his story of getting hookd on Bizarro, which eventually resulting in losing his job.

Dawn Ingle, the other protest co-organizer, is Personius’ mother and she told the Daily Planet that Bizarro addic-tion caused her son to lose “all of his goals and ambitions,” created anger management problems, resulted in low self-esteem and triggered high blood pressure that persists. “His whole day revolved around (getting high from) Bizarro,” she noted.

What’s more, Ingle said the substance is not detectable in normal drug screenings. “I’d like to have it outlawed or bring awareness to parents that it’s available.”

After the prayer circle, the protesters, including Perso-nius, then waved anti-Bizarro signs and talked to some passersby and drivers who stopped to chat or ask questions on a busy and mild Saturday.

Near the end of the protest, Mumpower asked the group to march up the hill so it would pass in front of Up in Smoke. He asked the participant to turn their signs mostly to face the store as they passed, so employees and custom-ers could read them.

After that, the group gathered in a nearby parking lot for a prayer. In the meantime, sources said a store employee ap-proached a city policeman monitoring the protest — report-edly — to complain about the group walking past the store.

One source said the man complained of harrassment. However, the policeman reportedly told him there was no legal violation since the group did not stop in front of the shop or block its entranceway.

Mumpower asked the group, “How do you feel about what we’ve done today?”

Several of the participants said they were pleased with the re-sults, especially their interactions with pedestrians and drivers.

“On behalf of Dawn and myself, I’d like to say think you to all of you,” Mumpower said. He also cited the presence of reporters from the Daily Planet, WLOS-TV, the Asheville Citizen-Times and the Urban News.

He said that, as a result of the news media presence, “lights will be turned on for a number of people” regarding the Bizarro problem.

After the prayer, Mumpower said that day’s protest over the sale of Bizarro “may not be the last” for the movement he and Ingle had launched.

He then asked, “Hey, how’d you like walking by the store?”“I loved it!” one unidentified man said.As the protesters departed, Mumpower approached the

nearby policeman to thank him for his efforts — and then dashed over to the WLOS-TV crew to thank them for filming

the event.Returning to a brief interview with the Daily Planet,

Mumpower explained that “this (protest) will educate — or embarrass — our City Council, county commissioners” and other local elected officials “to take some action.”

When pressed by the Planet on the question of whether Bi-zarro would just be replaced by some other substance in some people’s efforts to “get high,” Mumpower replied, “You fight it where you can fight you it,” no matter if other dangerous products will replace it. “You don’t give up.:

Earlier, Personius told the Daily Planet that he had used Bizarro daily for six months and then spent a week in “rehab.”

“It’s very addictive,” he said. “For one thing, its (just) $8 for a gram and a half.” That amount, he noted, enabled him to “get high for a day.”

His mother, Ingle, noted that the product originates in Pak-stan and its U.S. center is in Atlanta.

She said one of her chief goals is to “bring awareness to parents and anyone concerned that this is in your local gas station or store. They sell it in $5 and $8 packs... My ultimate

goal is to have it outlawed completely, but they’ve changed it by one molecule.”

Ingle added that her other son, Devon Ingle, 12, “has always been anti-drug” and is well aware of the dangers of Bizarro after his brother’s experiences.

Describing herself as a “desperate mother,” she said, “I had him (Taylor) involun-tarily committed... Wth him being 19, I didn’t have a lot of rights,” but was able to get it done.

At first, Ingle said, Taylor was furious with her for put-ting him in rehab, but later changed his mind and since has thanked her every day for doing it.

Among the protesters was Chad Nesbitt, a past chairman of the Buncombe County Republican Party, who said, “Bizarro is mar-keted to young kids... It’s crazy.”

In an email sent early on the morning of the protest, titled “Bizarro protest at noon today needs your help,”

Mumpower and Ingle asserted in a jointly signed email, “You may remember the K-2 and Salvia busts in December. These versions of synthetic marijuana have been proven danger-ous and are illegal. A minor formula change has brought us Bizarro — an equally dangerous substance that is on the edge of legality. It is not being enforced in the Asheville commu-nity — it is capturing the attention of our children and other vulnerable people and doing great harm.

“If a guy wearing a suit can go into a store and buy Bizarro with a credit card, it is evident these folks are operating with impunity.

“We’re having a protest today at the Innsbruck Mall to challenge Up In Smoke — one of the sites that markets this product from about a half mile from city hall and the police department. Many of the people in attendance will be parents struggling to pull their children away from Bizarro or users who know the harms.

“We would appreciate your help in flagging this substance to the community,” the protest organizers noted.

The Lovin’ Spoonful’s Steve Boone, as he appeared in the mid-1960s.

Spoonful’s N.C. native shares thoughts on legacy, today’s music

Dr. Carl Mumpower and Dawn Ingle, protest co-organizers, wave signs as they lead a march at the end of the March 9 rally in East Asheville.


Candid ConservativeAsheville Daily Planet — April 2013 — 25

Lindsey G and John M….Oh, golly. Rand Paul has tarnished the dignity of the U.S.

Senate. In doing so he has secured the wrath of his colleagues, and fellow Republicans, South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham and Arizona Senator John McCain. One of the first clues of a lack of dignity is the loud defense of dignity. Crooks, political or otherwise, do not like being caught. Lindsey and John are talking dignity about a group that can’t spell the word “principle,” perfects agitation as a substitute for action, and stands for little beyond preserving their own power and mascot base. Rand Paul had the courage to creatively call his colleagues and President out. He stood for something and made Lindsey and John uncomfortable. Good. As opportunistic RINO politicians they should be made uncomfortable. It remains that come the next election we’ll likely vote for them as the lesser of evils. We should remember that the operative word of that equation is still “evil.”

On walking that talk….The list of principle driven Republi-

cans in Washington is very short. Former Texas Representative Ron Paul was one of those guys. Under almost all circum-stances there was a match between what he said he believed and his voting record. Now comes his son – Rand Paul. Sena-tor Paul was the guy who had the courage to irritate his RINO colleagues and the President all in one action by his extended filibuster on domestic drones. He was right. Death from above by our own administration is not something Americans should fear. He turned the lights on and put a burr in the Obama administra-tion’s easy chair. As an elected official from Kentucky, he also did another unprecedented thing – returning a half-million in operating expense dollars to the U.S. Treasury. And he’s going to do it again this year. That’s walking your talk in big way. That kind of charac-ter merits encouragement.

On the paper Obama….For Patriots looking for a little ammo to excite Obama mascots,

Mitch McConnell has given you a gem. His office just printed out all 20,000 pages of ObamaCare regulations. Stacked, that pile was over seven feet tall. For another tidbit, consider the draft applica-tion for benefits – that’s 15 pages long. When our government’s driving priority is the expansion of regulations, laws, and tax poli-cies devoted to control, that means we have a socialistic govern-ment. In truth we reached that tipping point sometime ago. It’s just that now we have a President openly flaunting his socialistic agenda in every way but one. He doesn’t directly call himself a so-cialist for the same reason a prostitute doesn’t usually call herself a hooker. What you do, not what you say or call yourself, is the mark of the man. President Obama’s stack of papers has marked him as a socialist. That same stack will soon be marking us too.

On rewarding failure….At most levels of our culture there is a trend that bodes poorly

for our future – entitlement and failure are being rewarded more than performance. That’s bad, because Mother Nature makes one thing perfectly clear – opportunity does not exist without accountability and productivity. For an alternative model that works, consider Singapore. They pay their political leaders well, but they expect something in return. We pay our leaders well too, but we keep electing people who perform poorly. The result for Singapore – there economy is thriving. When it doesn’t their leaders get a pay cut to match their failure. Singapore has a 2% unemployment rate, loans instead of borrows, and refuses to print money as a pretend solution to economic misery. Our situation is, well, 180 degrees in the other direction. Our increasing willing-ness to reward failure is a big part of why.

On learning from Cyprus….What happened in Cyprus this week is earth-shaking. A sov-

ereign nation surrendered control over its economy, governance authority, and identity in exchange for a 10 billion Euro bail-out. They created their own mess, but the impacts are far reaching. Their Euro deal involves closing the second largest bank in the country. That’s saying something when that country is a notori-ous depository for off-shore accounts. A large number of deposi-tors from Russia and the UK are going to regret sending their money to Cyprus. Most of what was uninsured is likely to be swallowed up in what amounts to a national bankruptcy. That’s tough, but the worst is yet to come. People with money are go-ing to figure out if it can happen there, it can happen anywhere. Rich investors don’t like becoming poor investors – these folks are going to start pulling resources from banks everywhere. That domino’s fall will lead to others. Hold onto your pocketbook. Events in Cyprus are going to touch us all.

•Carl Mumpower, a former member of Asheville City Council,

may be contacted at [email protected]


Sen. Rand Paul

Stammer timeI can’t talk to really pretty girls. If I’m

talking to a girl I’m not that interested in — or a dude, I’m golden. But if I’m attracted to a girl, my thoughts get totally scrambled. After a party, I walked this sweet, gorgeous girl to her car. She said some funny or cute thing about me, and I meant to say something witty back. Instead, I just said, “Huh.” Somehow, it was all I had at that moment. It felt too awkward to keep standing there, so I just mumbled goodbye and walked to my car. Pathetic, huh?

— Kicking Myself

It’s good to keep a woman guessing — but not as to whether you want her to go out with you or give you the Heimlich maneu-ver.

A Dutch study confirmed what you and most of us already know — that talking to a hot woman can turn a man’s brain into a pudding cup. The researchers — a team led by Dr. Johan C. Karremans — did the study after one of them was chatting up a “very attractive girl” he’d just met, intent on im-pressing her, but when she asked him where he lived, he suddenly couldn’t remember his street address.

University of Chicago researcher Dr. Sian Beilock, author of “Choke” — a book about overcoming performance anxiety in sports, business, and the arts — explains that we have different types of memory. The type crapping out on you every time your head says, “Well, hello, beautiful!” is “working memory,” the cognitive horsepower that allows you to hold relevant information in

mind (and protect that information from disappearing) while you’re trying to do something else.

Stressing about what a woman might think of you and overthinking things you normally do without much thought, like tossing around witty banter, depletes work-ing memory resources that would otherwise be available — maybe to the point where you find yourself glancing around the bar for help recalling the simplest facts about your-self: “My name? Uh…Bud. Bud Light.”

You stop the pretty ladies from pulling the fire alarm in your head and evacuating your every thought the same way you, haw-haw, get to Carnegie Hall — practice. Beilock lays out numerous examples that suggest that the more you practice under pressure the less likely you’ll be to choke when the stress is on.

For example, golfers who had their put-ting practice sessions videotaped and judged by coaches did much better in competition than those who practiced without scrutiny. You, likewise, would probably be helped by going out and practicing hitting on hot women with your friends watching in the wings or — better yet, to raise the stakes — with them watching and placing bets with you on how you’ll do.

To avoid self-conscious overthink, shift your focus from fretting about what a woman thinks of you to having a good time saying things you find interesting and fun.

With practice, words should stop deserting you and you should have fewer grammatical accidents, making you far less likely to com-pliment a beautiful woman on how smash-ing she looks with, “Drop dead, gorgeous.”

The math to true loveYou need to tell men to never be the

first to say those “three little words.” A woman will tell you she’s ready to hear them by telling you first. It seems the dating gurus agree: When a man says “I love you” first, he throws the attraction physics all off because he lowers his value in the woman’s subconscious.

— Concerned Guy

When you’re looking into a woman’s eyes and there’s that awkward moment of silence, there are plenty of things you can say besides “I love you” — like, “I was going to say something, but now I’m not” or “Have I told you I’ve started drinking the blood of freshly killed unicorns?”

It is wise to avoid spewing mush all over a woman on, say, the third date. The premature “I love you” tends to translate as “I really don’t know you, beyond how you like your steak, but I love any woman who doesn’t block my calls or spot me com-ing down the sidewalk and duck into a real estate office and beg them to hide her.”

Of course, what really lowers a man’s “value in the woman’s subconscious” is be-ing someone who needs a “dating guru” to help him be calculating; he can’t just be.

Women value men who don’t seem to be living by others’ dictates — men who are spontaneous and fun and don’t have a faraway look in their eyes because they’re

trying to recall something they heard on some dating webinar.

Now, a lot of men have childhoods that don’t exactly lead them to walk the planet feeling like they own the place. So, it’s understandable if you began your dating life as a wimpy, approval-seeking suckup, but if you continue along those lines, you’re a lazy, wimpy, approval-seeking suckup.

Having value in a woman’s eyes takes having value in your own, which takes do-ing the work to develop self-respect instead of just fencing off that huge sinkhole in your self so no squirrels or neighborhood dogs fall in.

Once you have self-respect, it’ll seem ridiculous to pull out some dating calculus book to figure out what to say to a woman and when. The right words will just flow at the right time out of genuine feeling that’s developed between you.

Sure, there’s always that chance that some woman who seemed into you will have an attack of the commitment heebies or decide that she doesn’t feel the same way.

If you’re more of a man’s man than a worm’s worm, this won’t be a statement on your worth. It’s just a sign that you need to look for a woman who wants you as much as you want her.

If you’re secure, chances are you’ll eventually find a partner who won’t want to leave you — and not just because you always open the door for her when she gets that look in her eye that says, “I can’t wait one more moment to pee on the neighbors’ rosebushes.”

•(c) 2012, Amy Alkon, all rights re-

served. Got a problem? Write Amy Al-kon, 171 Pier Ave, #280, Santa Monica, CA 90405, or e-mail [email protected] (advicegoddess.com). Weekly radio show: blogtalkradio.com/amyalkon


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Asheville Daily Planet April 2013